Devotionals Detail

Reading: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

As we embark on our Growing Generosity campaign this fall, it is a wonderful time to consider how we have grown in our relationship with God over the past year. When we intentionally pause to remember and reflect, we often recognize growth that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Perhaps it began with a simple commitment to attend worship more regularly. Over time, that practice became essential fuel for your daily life. Perhaps a regular walk evolved into a prayer practice, opening your eyes to God's presence in quiet moments of nature. Perhaps joining a small group led to meaningful friendships through which you experienced God's care and encouragement. Perhaps serving as a greeter on Sunday morning grew into a deeper desire to welcome others with Christ's love wherever you go. Or perhaps your first financial gift to the church blossomed into the joy of contributing to something larger than yourself: the building of God's kingdom on earth.

In Deuteronomy 6, God calls the Israelite people not only to love God with all their heart, soul, and strength, but also to make that love a daily way of life. Faith is nurtured through intentional practices that shape who we become. As we remember God's faithfulness and generosity toward us, we are inspired to respond with generosity of our own.

There are many ways to grow in generosity through our time, talents, and treasure. My prayer is that this year's campaign will give you the opportunity to celebrate the ways God has already been at work in your life and to consider what your next step might be. As we respond to God's generosity with generosity, our faith grows as well.

That is why we have developed the Giving Pathway. It is designed as a tool for reflection, helping each of us consider where we are and how God may be inviting us deeper into relationship. I encourage you to thoughtfully engage with the Giving Pathway questions as you consider your time, talents, and treasure. Growth does not happen by simply repeating the same practices year after year. Growth happens when we are willing to take the next faithful step.

God desires for us to live fully into the people we are created to be. As we continue to grow in generosity, we discover more of God's purpose for our lives and experience the joy of participating in holy work in the world.

So how do we grow in generosity? We grow by loving God with our whole hearts, and trusting God’s generosity with our next faithful step.

So consider where you are on the Giving Pathway image attached related not just to your finances, but to your time and talents as well, and ask yourself these questions:

• Where are you are on the journey to generosity?
• How has God’s generosity been revealed to you in this step?
• How is that helping you grow to take the next step in generosity?
• What is the gift that you want to give next?

And then pray in trust that the God who has poured out generosity upon you will continue to grow in generosity with you.

In gratitude for you,

Pastor Alex