THRIVE THOUGHT
The Question That Changed My Heart Toward Giving
When I was a young pastor in South Bend, there was an older couple who took me under their wings. They spent time guiding me and helping me learn the ropes of ministry. One evening after dinner, Flo shared a financial lesson that still drives me today.
As she and Harry worked on their giving plan, they never asked the Lord, “How much should we give back to you?” That shocked me, because from an early age, that was the only question I had ever heard about giving. Instead, Flo said she would pray, “Lord, how much should we keep from what you’ve given us?” Her words humbled me, and they completely changed my perspective.
So often we see finances and giving as a zero-sum game: if I give some of my money away, I have that much less for myself—so I must keep all that I can. But what I’ve learned from wise people like Harry and Flo is this: everything I have comes from the Lord, and when I give his money away, he blesses both the gift and the giver.
Harry and Flo showed me the truth of Proverbs 22:9 and the blessing of a giving heart. "The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor" (Proverbs 22:9).
Brian Beall is one of the pastors at Pathway. He and his wife, Sheri, are leading their children to wisely manage their income, so that they can thrive as adults.
Learn more about Pathway's Thrive Financial Ministry.
The Question That Changed My Heart Toward Giving
When I was a young pastor in South Bend, there was an older couple who took me under their wings. They spent time guiding me and helping me learn the ropes of ministry. One evening after dinner, Flo shared a financial lesson that still drives me today.
As she and Harry worked on their giving plan, they never asked the Lord, “How much should we give back to you?” That shocked me, because from an early age, that was the only question I had ever heard about giving. Instead, Flo said she would pray, “Lord, how much should we keep from what you’ve given us?” Her words humbled me, and they completely changed my perspective.
So often we see finances and giving as a zero-sum game: if I give some of my money away, I have that much less for myself—so I must keep all that I can. But what I’ve learned from wise people like Harry and Flo is this: everything I have comes from the Lord, and when I give his money away, he blesses both the gift and the giver.
Harry and Flo showed me the truth of Proverbs 22:9 and the blessing of a giving heart. "The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor" (Proverbs 22:9).
Brian Beall is one of the pastors at Pathway. He and his wife, Sheri, are leading their children to wisely manage their income, so that they can thrive as adults.
Learn more about Pathway's Thrive Financial Ministry.
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