[featured_image]Welcome to Day 23 as you Take the Missional Challenge!

Take the Missional Challenge is a 31 Day experience designed to help align believers with Jesus’ mission. Each day’s post includes missional concepts and activities. For more information – click here.

Randy Alcorn in The Treasure Principle teaches: “Giving is the only antidote to materialism.”

The act of giving is a vivid reminder that it’s all about God, not about us. It’s saying I am not the point. He is the point. He does not exist for me. I exist for Him. God’s money has a higher purpose than my affluence. Giving is a joyful surrender to a greater person and a greater agenda. Giving affirms Christ’s lordship. It dethrones me and exalts Him. It breaks the chains of mammon that would enslave me.

As long as I have something, I believe I own it. But when I give it away, I relinquish control, power, and prestige. At the moment of release the light turns on. The magic spell is broken. My mind clears. I recognize God as owner, myself as servant, and others as intended beneficiaries of what God has entrusted to me.

Giving doesn’t strip me of vested interests; rather, it shifts my vested interests from earth to heaven – from self to God.

Of course, money isn’t all I can give. Time, wisdom, and expertise are wonderful gifts. Giving in any form breaks affluenza’s fever. Giving breaks me free from the gravitational hold of money and possessions. Giving shifts me to a new center of gravity – heaven. (p 57)

God is a giver. He initiated His mission of reconciliation by loving and giving – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son” (Jn 3:16).

God has given you so much – but what He gives you is not yours to consume only for yourself. He gives to you to be a conduit of His blessings to others. He gives to you to further His mission through you. Be a giver!

DAY 23 ACTION STEP: Consider what God has given to you to give away!

  • Donate to Goodwill or other charities
  • Freecycle.org
  • Give things to friends and family who need them
  • Make something to give as a gift
  • Have a yard sale and donate the profits
  • Donate DVDs and books to the library
  • Volunteer to serve at a food bank or shelter
  • Donate blood
  • Tutor young students
  • Smile
  • Cut flowers and give them away
  • Give grace and forgiveness
  • Be encouraging

As you practice being generous, you are reflecting the generosity of God to others!And you are breaking the hold of materialism in your life.

Day 23 Missional Challenge: Develop a habit of generosity! Give your time, your money, your stuff to bless others.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”