If there was one topic that brings out the most emotion in people, I would probably say it centers on money.  Many believe that money problems are one of the top leading causes of divorce in America.  The average American has somewhere between $8,000-9,000 on credit cards and then if you figure in car payments, student loan payments, and possible mortgage payments, can there not be strong emotions when it comes to money?  Perhaps this explains why Jesus has so much to say about money.

We have talked about what Jesus said in Matthew 6.  Jesus makes the point that when we give to the “needy,” it should be done secretly.  What we discovered as we talked about this, Jesus didn’t say when you give to the “church.”  This becomes important because for too long people have given money to the church in lieu of actually helping needy people out.  Yeah, I know, it is probably only a few people who actually fit that description, so humor me on this.

In order to facilitate more giving to those in need, The Journey has started a practice of the 50/50 offering.  When we give, 50% of the offering is all that goes to take care of general Journey expenses.  The other half is kept as a reserve to help those in need.  Now keep in mind, our operating expenses are low since we don’t own buildings and we are not creating a ministry system that serves the needs of our own people that requires huge budgets.  We want to create an environment that looks more like the early church in the book of Acts where the believers were one in heart and mind, and they had no needs among them. 

So, in order for us to create that, each person who is a part of The Journey, must learn to exercise generosity.  I like the way Dave Ramsey puts in one of his Financial Peace University lessons.  He refers to the generous person as one with an open hand, a hand willing to give and able to receive more.  The greedy person has a clenched fist as they try to hold on to all that they have.  That tight fist is a sign of aggression and since it is closed tight no more can get in.  I would much rather be a generous person and have God bless me with more to give than to try and hold on to what I already have and not give any room for God to give me more.

Let me encourage each of you reading this to start practicing generosity.  Maybe over the next several months you will find that you have been blessed far more by being generous than you ever have been in your life.  I am not saying that you will end up with huge piles of money, but I can say with confidence, you will be blessed when you are generous.