TUESDAY: MEETING NEEDS
KEY PASSAGE
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
DEVOTIONAL
A few years ago, a family shared with the church that they needed a car. They had no way to get to work. They had two teenagers and a grandmother to care for. They had bills to pay. So they expressed their need. Upon hearing this, I prayed so intently about this I basically demanded God to give them a car in a specific time frame. Now, I am not encouraging you to demand things of God, it’s not a smart idea… but my point is, I prayed fervently.
The following week, someone wrote on a church connection card, “I want to give my car to someone who needs it.” Woah… Turns out this man bought a new car and instead of trading in the old one, God prompted him to gift it. He recognized himself as a steward of this car, and decided to entrust it to whatever God wanted him to do.
This is being one in heart and mind: collectively living as stewards and not owners of our resources. This honors God over our preferences and honors people over our possessions. We have the opportunity to come alongside God as our Provider by using what he has given us to meet the needs of others.
Within a few weeks, the families connected and the car was gifted. Both of the families’ lives were changed for the better. It bolstered the faith of the man giving the car and encouraged him to go all in with God. It blessed the man receiving the car with the ability to secure an income and meet the needs of his family. And I witnessed a miracle.
CHALLENGE
I won’t ask you to bring all your possessions to church, lay them at the altar, and help distribute them to people who need it more than you… although you could. And I won’t ask you to sell your house, like the people in the verses above… although you could.
What I will ask you to do is get in the habit of doing these things: Express needs when you have them. Pray fervently. And give when God prompts you.
Right now, ask God for the courage to express a need to someone today. Then ask him for the courage to meet a need for someone today. Stay in prayer as you go about your day, and see what happens. Because you have no idea what miracle is on the other side.