I don’t know about you, but I’ve felt that nudge to give money hundreds of times – sometimes out of duty, sometimes guilt, sometimes because a story stirred my heart. But if I’m honest, I rarely follow through.
I tithe and give to causes that I’m connected to, but that deeper call to be sacrificial in my giving? I often talk myself out of it.
I’m a bit of a cynic and so my inner voice starts chattering: “Is that really you, God? Will this actually help? Can I really afford it? I’m sure someone else will give.” It’s all too easy to reason myself into inaction. But recently, I’ve seen what can happen when someone listens and acts.
The charity I lead was going through a tough time financially. Giving was down everywhere and the pressure was real. One afternoon, our administrator phoned with an update. I braced myself for bad news.
Instead, she said, “I just had a call from Iain. He and his wife felt God prompt them to send a one-off gift to CYO instead of buying each other presents for their wedding anniversary.”
I was stunned, both by their timing and their obedience. A £1,000 gift landed in our account the next day. They didn’t know our financial strain. They simply listened and responded. No hesitation or cynicism. Just faith and generosity in action.
Their example shook me. It reminded me that generosity is about surrender. It’s about choosing trust over doubt, obedience over self-protection and belief that God uses every act of giving in ways we may never see.
I want to live like that. Don’t you?
Maybe this is your reminder to step into that same kind of generosity. Start building a balance in your Stewardship Giving Account or set aside a small reserve so you’re ready when that next prompting comes.
Because when you give – really give – you’re not just transferring money. You’re participating in a story of God’s provision that changes lives, starting with your own.
Sam Fowler
Director, CYO Colchester
Reflect
‘Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.’
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Pray
Pray to notice the Spirit’s gentle prompts to be generous.
Ask God to help you give cheerfully and freely.
Thank Him that He multiplies every gift for good.
Act
A generosity challenge for you to complete today:
| Let your spending inspire your giving today. Look through last month’s receipts and pick something you enjoyed: a takeaway, cinema trip or new book. Now use CauseFinder™ to discover a related cause – a local foodbank, an arts charity or a literacy project. Then use your Stewardship Giving Account to match your spend with a gift of equal (or greater) value. |
About CYO Colchester
CYO Colchester empowers local churches to bridge the gap between church and school by providing support to deliver consistent Christian chaplaincy. Through this partnership, children and young people are discovering faith and hope, with many connecting to church events for the first time.
