Life can feel overwhelming at times. You’re running late for work, fighting with your spouse, or facing unexpected challenges that seem to come from nowhere. While some of these situations have natural explanations, others might be part of something deeper – spiritual warfare. Understanding how to be “battle ready” as a Christian isn’t about living in fear, but about standing confidently in the victory Christ has already won.

What Is Spiritual Warfare?

Spiritual warfare is real, but it’s not always what we think it is. Sometimes we give the devil credit for things he’s not doing, and other times we miss his actual attacks entirely.

When Life Gets Complicated

Running late for work could be spiritual warfare – perhaps the enemy is trying to sabotage your interactions with coworkers or prevent a divine appointment God has planned. But it could also simply be the natural consequence of staying up late and not setting your alarm.

Fighting with your spouse might be a spiritual attack, especially if your godly marriage is causing others to examine their own relationships. However, it could also be the result of selfishness and not following biblical principles like husbands loving their wives as Christ loved the church, or wives respecting their husbands.

Losing your job could mean the enemy is trying to remove you from a position of influence where you’re bringing the kingdom of God to your workplace. Or it could simply mean you weren’t performing well as an employee.

How to Discern What’s Really Happening

The key question to ask is: Does this situation move me toward Jesus or away from Him? Does it bring peace or fear? Does it produce life or despair? Does it remind me that God is in control, or does it make life feel chaotic?

When it’s the enemy or our own flesh, situations typically move us toward condemnation, brokenness without hope, helplessness, despair, and anxiety. This is because Satan is fundamentally a liar and deceiver who doesn’t want us drawing closer to Jesus.

Testing the Spirits

Not every supernatural occurrence comes from God. The Bible warns us that the enemy can perform miracles, signs, and wonders too. 1 John 4:1-3 instructs us to test the spirits: “Every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. But every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.”

We can’t assume something is from God just because it seems miraculous or supernatural. We must always test everything against Scripture and the character of Christ.

The Full Armor of God

Ephesians 6:11-18 describes the spiritual armor every Christian needs to wear daily. This isn’t a one-time decision but a daily discipline of staying battle-ready.

The Belt of Truth

Truth serves as our foundation, holding everything else together. This means both embracing God’s truth and honestly examining our lives. We must ask ourselves: Are there areas where I’m giving the enemy access? Am I walking in darkness in any area of my life?

Common areas that give the enemy access include unforgiveness, bitterness, consuming inappropriate media, or dabbling in occult practices. As Jesus said in John 8:32, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

The Breastplate of Righteousness

This protects our heart – not just emotionally, but our very soul and life. The enemy wants to destroy us, but if he can’t, he’ll settle for wounding and weakening us.

Crucially, this isn’t our own righteousness, which Isaiah 64:6 describes as “filthy rags.” Our righteousness comes from Christ alone. As 2 Corinthians 5:21 explains, “He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we become the righteousness of God.”

The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace

We carry peace and good news wherever we go. When we walk into a room, people should sense that a Christian has arrived – someone bringing hope, love, and the gospel.

Too often, Christians are known for what we’re against rather than what we’re for. Our primary business is saving souls and inviting people into God’s kingdom, telling them they can come just as they are.

The Shield of Faith

When the enemy fires arrows of lies and attacks, we hide behind our shield of faith – not faith in faith itself, but faith in Jesus Christ. This is where memorizing Scripture becomes crucial.

Galatians 2:20 is a powerful verse to hide behind: “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.”

The Helmet of Salvation

This protects our mind, which needs constant renewal. As we grow in Christ, we often become more aware of our sinfulness. The enemy tries to use this awareness to condemn us, but we must remind ourselves of our salvation in Christ.

When the enemy reminds us of our past, we remind him of his future. We are in Christ, saved and secure.

The Sword of the Spirit

The Word of God is our offensive weapon. We must consistently read Scripture, allowing it to examine us rather than trying to make it say what we want to hear.

The Bible is both medicine and amputation – it heals and wounds, comforts and corrects. It guides us in the most important areas of life: how to treat others, manage finances, and live according to God’s will.

Prayer in the Spirit

Undergirding all the armor is constant prayer according to the Spirit’s will. We trust the Spirit to lead, guide, protect, and deliver us in every situation.

Fighting From Victory, Not For Victory

The most important truth about spiritual warfare is that we’re not fighting for victory – we’re fighting from victory. Jesus has already won the battle. We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.

This changes everything about how we approach spiritual warfare. We’re not trying to muster up strength or make something happen. We’re standing confidently in what Christ has already accomplished.

Life Application

This week, commit to putting on the full armor of God each day before you leave your house. Make it a daily discipline, not a one-time decision. Start each morning by consciously putting on truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and taking up God’s Word.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Are there areas in my life where I might be giving the enemy access through unforgiveness, inappropriate media, or other compromises?
• When challenges arise, am I asking whether they move me toward Jesus or away from Him?
• Am I fighting from a place of victory in Christ, or am I trying to earn victory through my own efforts?
• How can I better carry the gospel of peace into every room I enter this week?

Remember, being battle ready isn’t about living in fear of what might come, but standing in faith in what Jesus has already done. You are equipped, protected, and victorious in Christ.

In our fast-paced, constantly connected world, it’s easy to let our priorities get out of order. We live in a culture where everything is screaming for our attention – from buzzing phones to endless notifications. But what happens when God gets pushed down our priority list? What happens when we’re too busy for the very relationship that should anchor everything else in our lives?

The Reality Check: If It’s Important, You Make Time

Here’s a hard truth: if something is important to you, you make time for it. If not, you make excuses. We all have the same 168 hours in a week. After subtracting sleep, we’re left with about 119 hours to spend. The question is: what are we choosing to give those precious hours to?

Think of it like a budget. If you made $20 an hour, you’d have $2,380 worth of time to “spend” each week. Would you spend $80 on four hours of TV? Would you invest $60 on three hours at the park with your kids? When we view our time this way, it becomes clear what we truly value.

What Happens When Our Priorities Get Out of Order?

The Old Testament prophet Haggai spoke to people who had their priorities completely backwards. In Haggai 1:5-7, God tells His people: “Think carefully about your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but are never satisfied. You drink, but never have enough… The wage earner puts his wages into a bag with holes in it.”

Sound familiar? When we place other things in the position that God should occupy, we find ourselves constantly striving but never satisfied. We work harder but never get ahead. We accumulate more but never feel fulfilled.

The Danger of Making Good Things Ultimate Things

The problem isn’t usually that we’re prioritizing obviously bad things. Often, we take good things – family, career, hobbies, even ministry – and elevate them to a place of ultimate importance. When we do this, these good things become idols.

Here’s a simple test: if you can’t give something up, it might be an idol. If you run to it in times of trouble instead of to God, it’s probably taken His place in your life.

How Do We Put God Back in His Rightful Place?

Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” When God has His proper place in our lives, everything else can fall into alignment. Here are four practical ways to make God your priority:

1. Make Reading, Worship, and Prayer a Priority

One of the first questions to ask when God feels distant is: “What does my worship life look like? When did I last read Scripture? How’s my prayer life?” If you’re not reading, praying, or worshiping, how can you expect to have a relationship with God?

If you only pray during crises, you’ve conditioned yourself that you don’t need God during normal times. If you come to church and it’s the first time you’re hearing the worship songs, that’s a sign that worship isn’t a priority in your daily life.

2. Make Community a Priority

We become like the people we surround ourselves with. Acts 4:32 describes the early church as being “of one heart and mind.” The people we spend time with influence who we become.

If you’re wondering why you’re making certain choices or developing certain attitudes, look at your community. Are you surrounding yourself with people who will draw you closer to God or pull you away from Him?

3. Make Giving a Priority

Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). It’s easy to criticize something you’re not financially connected to. If you look at your finances and God’s kingdom isn’t represented there, then it’s not truly a priority.

Giving isn’t about earning God’s favor – it’s about aligning our hearts with His priorities. When we invest financially in God’s kingdom, our hearts follow.

4. Make Service a Priority

James 2:17 reminds us that “faith, if it doesn’t have works, is dead by itself.” We don’t serve to earn salvation or God’s love – we serve because we love God. Service is the overflow of our relationship with Him.

When we put our hands to the same things Jesus cared about, we fall more deeply in love with Him. We start seeing people the way He sees them and caring about what He cares about.

The Time Budget Challenge

Sometimes prioritizing God requires sacrifice. Maybe it means waking up 45 minutes earlier for quiet time with God. Maybe it means leaving for work early so you can sit in your car and pray. Maybe it means locking yourself in the bathroom for a few minutes of Bible reading when you have small children.

The key is finding time in your 119 hours when you can give God your best attention, not your leftovers.

Life Application

This week, challenge yourself to give God your best 12 hours out of your 119. This doesn’t mean 12 consecutive hours, but rather prioritizing God throughout your week in a way that adds up to your best 12 hours of time, energy, and attention.

This might look different for everyone. For some, it’s morning quiet time. For others, it’s evening reflection. The key is giving God your best, not what’s left over after everything else.

Ask yourself these questions:

• When I look at how I spend my 119 hours each week, what does it reveal about my true priorities
• What would need to change in my schedule to give God my best time rather than my leftovers
• Which of the four areas (reading/worship/prayer, community, giving, service) needs the most attention in my life right now?
• What “good thing” in my life might have become an ultimate thing that’s competing with God for first place?

Remember, you will never be loved more or less by God based on your performance. But when you prioritize Him, you’ll find that everything else in your life begins to fall into its proper place. God holds all things together, and when we seek Him first, He can sustain and order the rest of our lives in ways we never could on our own.

When we pray “Your kingdom come” in the Lord’s Prayer, do we truly understand what we’re asking for? The kingdom of God is a profound concept that deserves our attention and understanding, especially as we seek to live as faithful followers of Christ.

What Exactly Is the Kingdom of God?

The kingdom of God can be defined as “God’s sovereign rule and reign over all creation, especially manifested through his righteousness, peace and joy, and fully realized in the person and work of Jesus Christ, inviting believers to live under his authority, both now and in the eternal future.”

In simpler terms, the kingdom of God means God is in charge, and we submit to Him. We are His ambassadors, representing Him on earth just as Adam and Eve were originally meant to do in the Garden of Eden.

The Now and Not Yet Tension

We live in what theologians call a “now, not yet” tension regarding God’s kingdom. Jesus announced in Mark 1:15 that “the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand.” The kingdom has arrived with Jesus, but it hasn’t been fully realized yet.

Isaiah 11:6-7 gives us a glimpse of what the fully realized kingdom will look like:

“The wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat. The calf and the young lion and the fattened calf will be together, and a child will lead them. The cow and the bear will graze, the young ones will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like cattle.”

This beautiful picture of complete peace and harmony is what we’re ultimately moving toward. But in the meantime, we have a crucial responsibility: to embody the kingdom while we wait for its fulfillment.

What Does Psalm 23 Teach Us About God’s Kingdom?

Psalm 23:2-3 gives us insight into three essential aspects of God’s kingdom:

“He lets me rest in green meadows. He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths to bring honor to his name.”

From these verses, we can understand that the kingdom of God involves:

1. Provision
2. Peace
3. Proper
4. Paths

How Does God Provide in His Kingdom?

Philippians 4:11-13 teaches us about contentment in God’s provision:

“I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstance I find myself. I know how to do with a little, and I know how to make do with a lot in any and all circumstances. I’ve learned the secret of being content, whether fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.”

The kingdom of God is about having all that we need, not necessarily all that we want. There are two ways to learn contentment: have more or desire less. If we’re always looking for the next thing—the next job, relationship, or possession—we can never be content with what we have.

When we learn to be content with what we have, we often find that God blesses us with even more. It’s about trusting in His provision and saying, “God, I have all that I need in you.”

What Kind of Peace Does God’s Kingdom Offer?

Philippians 4:7 describes “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

This peace isn’t just intellectual understanding—it’s a heart-level experience. It’s shalom, a comprehensive peace that can exist even in the midst of chaos. Our homes and relationships should be defined by this peace, not by the absence of challenges but by how we respond to them.

When we see disunity or chaos, we should view it as an invitation to pursue peace. As James says, “the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.” If we want peace, we must plant seeds of peace.

It’s important to note that peace is not the same as appeasement. Sometimes establishing true peace requires addressing difficult issues, like setting a broken bone. It might hurt initially, but it brings true healing and peace in the long run.

How Do We Follow God’s Proper Paths?

When we pray for God to lead us in “paths of righteousness for His name’s sake,” we’re asking Him to guide us on the right path—even when it differs from what we want.

There’s often a disconnect between what God says and what we desire. Following God’s path means submitting to His will and trusting Him, even when it’s difficult. As Jesus said, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.”

How often do we pray for God to lead us, only to complain about the path He puts us on? We ask Him to fix our marriages, bless our finances, or provide jobs—but when His answers don’t match our expectations, we resist or ignore them.

The Power to Live Out God’s Kingdom

Acts 1:8 reminds us that we don’t just receive guidance from God—we receive power: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria and the ends of the earth.”

The early church experienced this power at Pentecost when 3,000 people came to Christ after Peter’s first sermon. But they initially kept this power to themselves, forming a comfortable huddle rather than spreading out as Jesus commanded. God sometimes has to disrupt our comfort to fulfill His kingdom purposes.

The kingdom of God isn’t just about gathering together on Sunday mornings—it’s about going out with the power of the Holy Spirit to be Christ’s representatives in our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and to the ends of the earth.

Life Application

This week, consider how you can embody God’s kingdom in your daily life:

1. Provision: Where do you need to practice contentment with what God has already provided? Are you constantly seeking more, or can you find joy in what you have?
2. Peace: How can you cultivate peace in your relationships and home? When you encounter conflict or chaos, do you view it as an invitation to pursue deeper peace?
3. Proper Paths: Are you truly submitting to God’s guidance, even when it differs from your preferences? What area of your life might God be asking you to surrender to His direction?
4. Power: Are you living in the power of the Holy Spirit, or are you trying to accomplish God’s purposes in your own strength? How might God be calling you to step out of your comfort zone to represent Him?

Remember, we are ambassadors for Christ, representing His kingdom in a world that desperately needs it. As we embody His kingdom now, we point others toward the perfect kingdom that is yet to come.

Vision is different from mission. While mission tells us why we exist and how we operate, vision answers the question: “What do we want to see?” Vision moves us from identity to action and outcome. It’s incredibly important for churches, families, businesses, and individuals to have both mission and vision written down somewhere accessible.

What Does It Mean to Be “A People”?

To be a people means being in community with others. It’s about fellowship and inviting others into that community. Being a people means having:

• Common allegiance
• Shared vision
• Similar motives
• Movement in the same direction

Think about a sports team – everyone must execute the same play. In a family, everyone moves forward because they’re on the same page with the same desires. As the church, our desires should align with what Jesus teaches.

In Matthew 23:23, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for neglecting “the more important matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness.” As God’s people, we don’t get to pick and choose which of Jesus’ teachings we’ll follow. We are bound to all of them.

1 Peter 2:10 reminds us: “Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people. You had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

What Binds Us Together as God’s People?

D.A. Carson explains it perfectly: “The church itself is not made up of natural friends. It is made up of natural enemies. What binds us together is not common education, common race, common income levels, common politics, common nationality, common accents, common jobs, or anything of the sort. Christians come together not because they form a natural coalition, but because they have been saved by Jesus Christ and owe him a common allegiance.”

It’s not our love for the same sports team or our similar education that brings us together. It’s Jesus Christ. He is the common factor we all share. As Peter realized in Acts 10:34-35, “God does not show favoritism, but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”

How Do We Abide in Christ?

John 15:4 tells us, “Remain in me and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me.”

Abiding is both an individual and corporate practice. We stay connected to Jesus so we can produce fruit and be the people He called us to be. It’s about finding our identity and desires in Him. Often, the issues we have with other people stem from not abiding in Christ – we’re trying to find our identity in something else.

What Does It Mean to Follow Jesus?

In Matthew 4:19, Jesus says, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Our job is simple: follow the risen Lord wherever He leads and trust Him for guidance.

Ruth 1:16-17 provides a beautiful example of this attitude: “Don’t plead with me to abandon you or return and not follow you, for wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.”

Following When We Can’t See the Path

Hebrews 11:8 tells us, “By faith, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and set out for a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out even though he did not know where he was going.”

Faith exists precisely because we can’t see everything. Faith and doubt exist simultaneously. Faith isn’t the absence of doubt – it’s trusting God enough to move forward despite our doubts. Abraham didn’t know where he was going, but he knew God said “follow me,” and he responded, “I will go.”

How Do We Make Room for Jesus?

Revelation 3:20 says, “See, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me.”

Jesus is the Lord of all creation, yet He knocks because He wants you to invite Him in. Paul urges us in 1 Thessalonians 5:19, “Don’t stifle the Spirit.” And Isaiah 43:19 reminds us that God is “about to do something new.”

If we are truly following Jesus, we will make room for:

• Jesus
• The Holy Spirit
• People
• The future

Making Room for God’s Unexpected Growth

Sometimes God plants things in our lives that we didn’t plan for. Like unexpected sunflowers growing in a carefully planned garden, God often does things that don’t fit into our narrative or plans.

We have a choice: we can pull out what looks like weeds, or we can wait and see what God is growing. How often do we uproot what God is trying to do and then get upset because we don’t see the beauty He intended?

How Do I Know I’m Hearing from God?

There are two primary ways to hear from God:

1. The written Word (the Bible) – 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” If you want to hear from God, open your Bible.
2. Learning to hear His voice – Jesus says, “My sheep know my voice.”

We often want complete illumination of our path, but God typically gives us just enough light for the next step. As Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp unto my feet” – not a floodlight showing the entire journey.

The truth is, we usually only know with certainty that we heard God correctly in hindsight. That’s the faith part. But remember: God is big enough and smart enough to take our shortcomings into account. You won’t ruin His plans for the universe because you made a mistake.

A helpful analogy: Only moving ships can be steered. If we want God’s direction, we need to be in motion, trusting that He’s leading and we’re following.

Life Application

Our vision is to be a people who abide, follow, and make room for Jesus and the gospel. This week, consider these questions:

1. Where am I finding my identity? Am I truly abiding in Christ, or am I seeking validation and purpose elsewhere?
2. What is God asking me to follow Him into that seems uncertain or uncomfortable? Remember Abraham, who followed without knowing the destination.
3. What “weeds” might actually be God planting something beautiful in my life? Is there something unexpected that I’ve been trying to remove that God might be using for His purposes?
4. How can I better make room for Jesus in my daily life? Consider practical ways to invite Him into your routines, relationships, and decisions.
5. Am I moving forward in faith, or am I stuck in the harbor waiting for complete certainty? Remember that God can only steer a moving ship.

This week, take one step of faith in an area where you’ve been hesitant. Trust that God is giving you enough light for the steps immediately ahead, and commit to being part of His people who abide, follow, and make room for Jesus.

In a world where little eyes are always watching, how we walk and talk matters more than we realize. Our children, and even those who aren’t our biological children, observe our every move, learning how to respond to life’s challenges by watching us.

How Do Children Learn to Follow God’s Path?

One of the most common questions parents ask is, “How do we make our kids follow the Lord and do what is right?” The simple truth is that we can’t make them. Children are individuals with their own free will and desires. We cannot force them to follow any path, but we can guide them through our own example.

Throughout the Bible, we see this pattern repeated: “He walked in all the ways of his father had walked.” Whether serving idols or following God’s commands, children often follow the path their parents model.

Four Ways to Guide Children Toward Faith

1. Let Them Witness Your Struggle

One of the best ways to lead wisely is to let children see your struggles. Jesus himself told us, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Struggles are inevitable, so allowing children to witness how we handle difficulties teaches them valuable lessons.

However, this doesn’t mean burdening children with adult problems. As Corrie ten Boom’s father wisely demonstrated to her, parents carry weights so their children don’t have to. Some knowledge is too heavy for children, but they should understand that burdens exist and see how we handle them.

Jesus modeled this perfectly in the Garden of Gethsemane. He brought his disciples with him to witness his anguish, letting them hear his prayers: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” He showed them how to struggle well while maintaining faith.

When we allow our children to see our struggles in age-appropriate ways, we empower them to handle their own difficulties later in life. Our job isn’t to shield them from struggles but to prepare them to bear them.

2. Don’t Give Influence to Those Who Don’t Deserve It

As parents, we have the primary responsibility for raising and training our children. When we give that influence to others who don’t deserve it, we sacrifice our role in shaping their character.

During childhood development, kids go through stages of identity formation. From ages 6-12, they’re asking, “Am I capable and competent?” In their teen years, they’re figuring out who they are in different contexts. Throughout these stages, they look to parents and peers for answers.

Deuteronomy 6 reminds us of our responsibility: “These words that I’m giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house, and when you walk along the road, and when you lie down, and when you get up.”

We must teach our children how to allow the right influences into their lives so that when they face difficulties, they can discern what guidance to accept and what to reject.

3. Fathers Play a Vital Role in Children’s Faith

Contrary to what many believe, fathers have the most significant impact on whether children will attend church regularly and embrace faith. The statistics are striking:

• If only the mother attends church regularly, there’s just a 1.5% chance the child will attend church.
• If the father attends regularly (even if the mother doesn’t), there’s a 44% chance the child will go to church regularly.

This doesn’t mean God can’t work in other situations—He certainly can and does. But when fathers demonstrate that faith matters by showing up at church, serving in ministries, and participating in small groups, children notice and follow their example.

The good news is that it’s never too late to start. If you’re just beginning your faith journey, your children will notice the change, and it can make all the difference in their lives.

4. Pray Constantly

Prayer should be our first and most frequent response to parenting challenges. We need to pray for:

• Ourselves to be the parents
• God has called us to be
• Our children’s protection and growth
• Their friends and influences
• Their future spouses
• Their schools and environments

Jesus prayed for his disciples, saying, “I am not praying that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from the evil one.” Our children are in a spiritual battle, just as we are. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil spiritual forces in the heavens.”

Let your children see you pray. Let them know you pray for them. This models the importance of spiritual disciplines and shows them how to seek God in all circumstances.

Life Application

Our children and those around us are watching how we live. They notice our responses to stress, our priorities, and our faith practices. The question is: What are we modeling for them?

This week, consider these questions:

1. What struggles am I facing that I could share (appropriately) with my children to help them learn how to handle difficulties with faith?
2. What influences am I allowing into my children’s lives? Are these influences worthy of shaping their character?
3. As a father, how am I demonstrating the importance of faith to my children? If I’m not a father, how am I supporting the fathers around me?
4. What am I consistently praying for regarding my children or the children in my life?

Remember, it’s never too late to start modeling faith. Even if you feel you’ve made mistakes in the past, you can begin today to demonstrate what it means to follow Jesus. Whether you have children of your own or not, someone is watching your example. Make it one worth following.

Generosity is often misunderstood as being solely about financial giving. While financial giving is certainly part of generosity, it’s only one aspect of a much broader concept. Like romantic love is part of marriage, or paint is part of a car, financial giving is a necessary component of generosity—but it’s not the whole picture.

What happens when we make generosity all about money?

When we reduce generosity to just financial matters, we typically fall into one of two errors:

The error of transactional Christianity

Transactional Christianity occurs when we approach our relationship with God as a “give and take” arrangement. We assume that if we give financially, God is obligated to bless us in return—whether through financial prosperity, health, safety, or happiness.

This mindset is fundamentally flawed. God is not bound by our human transactions. As the Lord, He doesn’t enter into equal-standing agreements with us where both parties are obligated to comply. We have covenants with God, but the terms are His, not ours.

In Acts 8, Simon the sorcerer tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit, and Peter strongly rebuked him: “May your silver be destroyed with you because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money.”

The error of overvaluing wealth

The second error is that we begin to see money or wealth as the most important thing. This can lead us to:

• View material possessions as the primary blessing from God
• Consider wealthy people as more blessed or more righteous
• See poverty as punishment from God
• Associate a person’s value with their financial worth

Jesus challenged this thinking when He observed the widow’s offering at the temple. Though she gave only two small coins, Jesus said she had given more than all the wealthy donors because she gave everything she had.

What is true generosity?

Generosity is the opposite of our natural inclination to be self-focused. It’s when we have the heart of the Father in us and desire to do as He does.

John 3:16 reminds us: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son…” God gave what was most precious to Him—His Son. Jesus gave His perfect, precious blood. The cost of our salvation was higher than money could ever buy.

Generosity, then, is about having a heart that is inclined toward others and moved to action. It’s adopting the same attitude as Christ, who “emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant.”

What are we called to be generous with?

We are called to be generous with anything that has value. If something doesn’t have value to you, you can’t truly be generous with it because there’s no sacrifice involved.

1. Time

Time is perhaps our most valuable resource because:

• We only have so much of it
• We cannot make more of it
• We don’t know how much we have left
• It’s finite and irreplaceable

When we give our time to something or someone, especially when they cannot repay it, we’re being truly generous. This might include:

• Serving in church ministries
• Volunteering in community organizations
• Civic service that benefits the whole community

2. Blessing and affirmation

Romans 13:7 reminds us to “pay your obligations to everyone… respect to those you owe respect and honor to those you owe honor.”

We should be free with our blessings and affirmation:

• Tell people they’re doing good
• Express how proud you are of them
• Let them know you love them
• Encourage the good you see in others
• Pray for people and let them know you’re doing so

People should never have to guess whether you love and care for them. Verbally blessing others is a powerful way to be generous.

3. Resources

Proverbs 3:27-28 says: “When it is within your power, don’t withhold good from the one to whom it belongs. Don’t say to your neighbor, ‘Go away. Come back later. I’ll give it tomorrow’ when it’s there with you.”

John the Baptist taught: “The one who has two shirts must share with the one who has none, and the one who has food must do the same.”

This doesn’t mean giving everything away, but there is a strong biblical precedent for blessing others with the things we have when we see a need we can fill.

4. Money

Christians are statistically the most generous givers in America, with 70-75% of all charitable donations coming from individuals who identify as Christians.

Being generous with money can take many forms:

• Supporting community projects
• Giving regularly to your church
• Supporting specific ministries or causes you’re passionate about

Regular giving to your church helps support:

• Basic operational needs (facilities, utilities, etc.)
• Ministry staff who serve the congregation
• Programs that benefit the community
• Special projects and missions

Why give regularly to your church?

While the Old Testament principle of tithing (giving 10%) is a good guideline, the New Testament emphasizes that “each person should do as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.”

The percentage matters less than the heart behind it. When we give financially on a regular basis, we’re saying, “I’m committed to this thing.” It’s evidence of our attachment and support.

Many churches offer designated giving options beyond the general fund, allowing you to support specific ministries or projects you’re passionate about.

Life Application

Generosity is a response to God’s grace, mercy, and love. We are generous with what has value to us because God has been generous with what has value to Him—His Son.

Ask yourself these questions this week:

1. What has the most value in my life right now? Is it my time, my possessions, my money, or something else?
2. Have I made Jesus Lord over that valuable thing, or am I still holding it back from Him?
3. In what specific way can I be more generous this week?
4. Is there someone I need to bless with my words?
5. Is there a need I can meet with my resources?
6. Is there a ministry I should support financially?

Am I giving regularly to my church? If not, what’s holding me back?

Remember, generosity is about a heart posture toward the Lord. It’s saying, “Even in this, you are the Lord.” When you identify what has value in your life, ask yourself if Jesus is truly Lord of that thing.

This week, take one practical step toward greater generosity in an area where you’ve been holding back. As you do, you’ll discover the truth of Jesus’ words that it is more blessed to give than to receive.