Parables: Week 7 - Saturday

And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. Hebrews 13:16

When I was in college, I spent a summer in Romania, serving children who were orphans and at risk of becoming orphans. My team and I held summer camps for the children we served with the purpose of teaching them about Jesus. One of the habits of serving the children in Romania was picking “flowers,” which were actually weeds, in the fields around them. The children liked making bouquets from the “flowers” they picked. One day, a little girl handed me her bouquet, which I accepted and handed to another little girl. What happened next brought me to tears. That little girl took the bouquet I had given her and handed each “flower,” one by one, cheerfully, to other children around her until she had given away her last “flower.” She handed her final “flower” to a child with the biggest smile. As I watched the scene unfold, I was stunned by the generosity of the little girl, who had little but happily shared what she had. She could have kept the “flower” bouquet to herself, but instead, she gave away what she had, and I was so moved by her generosity. On a much, much grander scale, God has been generous to us. He has given us so many things in our lives that we do not deserve. He does not just give us these things so that we will keep them for ourselves. He gives them to us so that we can be generous. And when we choose to be generous, He marvels at our generosity.

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that God is honored by our generosity in Hebrews 13. We looked at the first half of this chapter earlier this week, and today we will focus on the second half. The writer of Hebrews wrote in this chapter, “For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come” (verse 14). This mindset that heaven is our home propels our generosity. When we operate under the mindset that this world is not our home, we are much more willing to be generous, helping those around us and using our finances to build the kingdom of God, which is eternal. Because this world is not our home, the writer of Hebrews added, “Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to His name” (verse 15). The truth that we have an eternal home awaiting us in heaven if we have placed our faith in Christ should lead us to worship and sacrifice to God. Part of worshiping Him is practicing generosity. That is why the writer of Hebrews continued, “And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God” (verse 16). Make no mistake, our generosity toward others is an act of worship. It pleases and honors God.

When was the last time you thought of generosity as an act of worship that pleases and brings honor to God? God has been generous toward you, and He is delighted when you take what He has given you and practice generosity. Let this knowledge propel you toward generosity, seeking to worship and honor your Heavenly Father.

Moving Toward Action

Take a few moments to reflect on what you learned today in your Bible study. How does the reminder that God is moved by our generosity impact the way you view your resources and the gifts God has given you? Journal your response to that question. After you are finished, commit today to living with the mindset that when you are generous with what God has given you, He is honored by your generosity.

Prayer Prompt: Use this prompt to guide you as you pray.

“God, there is no one more generous than You. I worship You because…”

Going Deeper

Hebrews 13:14-25