An Easy/Simple Area: Money!

Philippians 2:17-18, Devotion #17

But even if my life is to be poured out like a drink offering to complete the sacrifice of your faithful service (that is if I am to die for you), I will rejoice, and I want to share my joy with all of you. And you should be happy about this and rejoice with me.
Philippians 2:17-18

Father, pondering over these verses is such a challenge to my mind. Occasionally I will read what other writers have to say about a passage. That spurs my brain also. How a passage is to be interpreted is important and I surely don't ever want to misrepresent a passage. And "interpretation" is not my goal here, but "application". And this morning I wonder…hmmm…how conditional are we in our following after You? How conditional are we at doing what it is that pleases You? How willing are we to "be poured out" for You and Your way.

I think of one real easy/simple area: money. We give finances as You have called us to give, but I am not a "cheerful" giver of money. Anna writes the checks. My financial giving is because You have told us to, because of obedience and faith, because it's the right thing to do. And I just wonder about all of us: are we doing the easy/simple things in life that we know You want us to do? Some things are complicated; it seems that giving money isn't. And if we can't give money, how in the world are we going to do any of the harder things? How in the world could we say, "even if my life is to be poured out…I will rejoice?"

Father, do we even want the willingness or desire to be "poured out" for your sake or the sake of others? Help us to at least ask that you would grow that desire in us. May we "complete the sacrifice" that you have blessed us with. Come Holy Spirit!

Thank you, Father, in Jesus name. Amen.

Love, Dad / Danny