Did you know that everything you have belongs to God?

A husband and his wife were sitting in the lobby of a public office. Evidently, they were having a discussion about his paycheck and how his paycheck would be used to help take care of the various needs in their family. The man was very loud to the point, I stepped out into the area where they were, hoping that once he saw me stand at the door, he would quiet down in that public place.

Sometimes, people can get in public places and forget where they are. The man said, “I work hard for my money, and I don’t want to give anything to you or the church.” Did you know that everything belongs to God? I wanted to share with the young man, that all he has belongs to God.

It is the Lord who wakes us up in the morning. The Lord has put food on your table. He’s given us a reasonable portion of health and strength. He lets us go to work every day, and yet some people have the audacity not to want to share what the Lord has allowed them to work for. This world in which we currently live needs to see each of us as generous givers. They need to see God in us. Giving, and giving generously, is one of the first primary means of grace in every believer that you will learn in Christian education.

You and I were created by God to be generous givers. When you give generously, you are showing signs that the Lord has touched your heart, and that this work, and your life, are all about what He wants, and not about what you want.

No one should have to push you to give. No one should have to make you give. No one should have to seek you out to give. Why? Because it’s in our heart to give. In Luke 16:1-13, we find Jesus is sharing a parable about the use of what God has given for us to manage. We must become good managers of what the Lord has given us, for the Lord Himself showed his generosity, when he laid down his life for us. It was love from the heart.

Whatever He has given us, He expects us to share what we have, for it is a blessing to give. Keep on giving and watch the Lord bless you in unusual ways.

The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Perry is pastor of St. Mark AME Zion Church. Contact him at josephp134@gmail.com.