Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds...and laid them at the apostles' feet. Acts 4:34-35Devotional When we give to the local church, we are not merely funding an organization. We are participating in ministry. Every number on a church budget represents people. Resources allow children to hear about Jesus in a...  Read More

 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7Devotional God cares about what we give, but He also cares deeply about the heart from which we give. Paul says our giving should not be grudging or forced. God does not want generosity produced through manipulation, shame, or resentment. He wants our giving to flow f...  Read More

On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper. 1 Corinthians 16:2DevotionalSome acts of generosity are spontaneous. We see an urgent need, feel compassion, and respond immediately. Those moments are beautiful, but biblical generosity is not built only upon occasional emotional responses. Paul instructed the Corinthian believers to develop a regu...  Read More

 Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10DevotionalProverbs 3 is written in the language of a father instructing his son. The father is teaching him how to build a life upon truth, trust, humility, and obedience. He tells his son not to forget God's inst...  Read More

 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. Acts 2:44-45DevotionalOne of the first words children learn is "mine." You don't have to teach a toddler to claim ownership. Put two children in a room with one toy and watch what happens. Sharing must be learned because our...  Read More

The earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.- Psalm 24:1 DevotionalGenerosity begins with a truth that challenges the way most of us naturally think: everything belongs to God. We often speak about "our" money, "our" time, "our" abilities, and "our" possessions. Scripture gives us a different perspective.Everything we possess ultimately comes from God and r...  Read More

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ.… Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them. - Romans 12:4–6DevotionalThe Church is one body made up of many different people. We don’t all have the same function, personality, experience, or gift—and we aren’t supposed to. God cr...  Read More

Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha.… She was full of good works and acts of charity.… All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. - Acts 9:36, 39DevotionalActs 9 introduces us to a disciple named Tabitha, also known as Dorcas. Scripture doesn’t describe her as a preacher, apostle, or public leader. It says she...  Read More

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. - John 13:34–35DevotionalAbout 160 years after the events of Acts 2, the Christian writer Tertullian described how believers gathered, prayed, read Scripture, encouraged one another, and contributed to a common fund. That fu...  Read More

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. - 1 Corinthians 15:58DevotionalWhen I was fifteen years old, I gave my life to Jesus at youth camp. A pastor invited me, another pastor helped pay for my trip, but it was a volunteer youth leader named Bobby Mills who sat with me and led me in the ...  Read More

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.… When each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. -Ephesians 4:11–12, 16 DevotionalsThe New Testament never describes the Church as a performance produced by a few gifted people for everyon...  Read More

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.- 1 Peter 4:10–11DevotionalMany people believe they have nothing meaningful to contribute to the Church. They see gifted musicians, confident leaders, talented comm...  Read More

But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.-Matthew 20:26–28DevotionalThe world often measures greatness by how many people praise/serve us. We pursue influence, authority, recognition, and success. We climb the ladder hoping ...  Read More

“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another.” —1 Peter 4:9–10DevotionalCommunity is not only about what we receive. Eventually, the welcome, healing, and support we experience should become something we offer to others. Healthy community never becomes a closed circle that exists only for itself. It continually makes room. At Restorat...  Read More

“And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’” —Mark 2:5DevotionalMark 2 tells us that Jesus was teaching inside a home in Capernaum. The house became socrowded that there was no room left, not even at the door. Four men arrived carrying a paralyzed friend on a mat. The man had a need, but he did not have the ability to reach the One who could meet it. T...  Read More

“If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit ofgentleness.” —Galatians 6:1DevotionalThe word accountability can make people uncomfortable. Some hear it and imagine control,condemnation, or someone attempting to manage their private decisions. Biblical accountability is none of those things. Its goal is restoration. Galatians 6:1 says that if someo...  Read More

Scripture“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking ofbread and the prayers.”—Acts 2:42DevotionalActs 2 says the first believers devoted themselves to fellowship. The Greek word translated“fellowship” is koinonia. It describes participation, partnership, contribution, communion, andshared life. They were not merely friendly toward one another. They b...  Read More

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”—Galatians 6:2DevotionalThere is a difference between being noticed and being known. Someone may notice that youmissed church, but a person who knows you will ask why. Someone may notice that you seemunusually quiet, but a person who knows you may recognize that something is wrong. Someone can see the smile on your face while a trusted...  Read More

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” —James 5:16DevotionalSecrecy promises protection, but it often produces isolation. It tells us that no one wouldunderstand, that we would be rejected if people knew the truth, and that hiding is safer thanhonesty. What begins as an attempt to protect ourselves can become the environment in which shame, ...  Read More

“Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone.’” - Genesis 2:18DevotionalGenesis 1 repeatedly tells us that God looked at what He created and called it good. Light was good. The land and seas were good. The plants, animals, and humanity were good. Then, before sin entered the world, God looked at Adam and declared that something was not good: “It is not good that the man sh...  Read More

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together…but encouraging one another.”—Hebrews 10:24–25DevotionalSunday morning matters. Gathering to worship, hear God’s Word, pray, and celebrate what Jesus is doing is an essential rhythm of the Church. But the Church Jesus built was never intended to exist for only an hour each week.Hebrews tells bel...  Read More

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”—Matthew 6:33DevotionalMost people do not consciously decide to move Jesus away from the center of their lives. It usually happens gradually. A responsibility becomes a priority, a priority becomes a preoccupation, and eventually our lives begin revolving around something that was never meant to ca...  Read More

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”—Acts 2:42DevotionalLuke begins his description of the early Church with a powerful statement: “They devoted themselves.” He does not say they were occasionally interested, temporarily inspired, or involved only when it was convenient. They continually gave themselves to the rhythms...  Read More

“You are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.”— Ephesians 2:19DevotionalThere is a difference between being surrounded by people and truly belonging. We can live in busy neighborhoods, work in crowded offices, attend packed events, and remain largely unknown. We may have hundreds of online connections while still longing f...  Read More