 TEXT: MATTHEW 6:3–4 (NLT)
But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. THOUGHT: When you give do you look to see who is watching? Are you more concerned about personal credit or seeing God get the glory when you give? TALK: “God, everything belongs to You. You can have all the credit.” TAKEAWAY: Find a way to give quietly today. Give a gift anonymously or privately. Trust that your heavenly reward will be much greater than any earthly praise or appreciation. SOCIAL MEDIA POST: When you give, are you concerned with what God thinks of you, or with what people think of you? #youthalive
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 TEXT: PROVERBS 3:27–28 (NLT)
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.” THOUGHT: Have you ever had the answer to someone’s problem, but the only thing you gave was an excuse? Is there something God has been challenging you to give that you keep putting off? TALK: “God, thank You for trusting me to meet a need. I won’t let You down.” TAKEAWAY: The only hope for the world is Jesus and the only hope for Jesus is you. He’s counting on you to step up and give when He places an opportunity in front of you. SOCIAL MEDIA POST: We get to help meet people’s needs. God, remove my selfishness, give me eyes to see people’s needs, and a heart to give. #youthalive  TEXT: LUKE 21:1–4 (NLT)
While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given every- thing she has.” THOUGHT: It’s not the size of the gift, but the motivation of the heart behind the gift. As you are giving of yourself today, are you giving a portion of your best or everything you have? TALK: “God, I may not have much to give, but I give it all to You. Today, I choose to hold nothing back.” TAKEAWAY: Are you really willing to give God everything? Are you more concerned about what you can gain than what you can give? SOCIAL MEDIA POST: God doesn’t favor the rich. He weighs the heart, not the possessions. Give generously according to what you have. #youthalive  TEXT: EXODUS 25:1–9 (NLT)
The Lord said to Moses, “Tell the people of Israel to bring me their sacred offerings. Accept the contributions from all whose hearts are moved to offer them. Here is a list of sacred offerings you may accept from them: gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple, and scarlet thread; fine linen and goat hair for cloth; tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather; acacia wood; olive oil for the lamps; spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; onyx stones, and other gemstones to be set in the ephod and the priest’s chestpiece. “Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them. You must build this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the pattern I will show you. THOUGHT: The Tabernacle that would host God’s holy presence was built using the gifts of people “moved to give.” Have you been moved to give your best and bring your best to God? TALK: “God, I want to make space for Your presence. Cause my giving to allow others the opportunity to experience You.” TAKEAWAY: Be kingdom-minded in your giving today. In what way could you give your best today that would introduce others to God? SOCIAL MEDIA POST: If we listen, God will move us to give in different ways. I try to keep listening, and I pray my answer is always YES. #youthalive  TEXT: 2 CORINTHIANS 9:6–8 (NLT)
Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. THOUGHT: What does it mean to give cheerfully? Does your current giving of your time, talents, and treasure model cheerful and generous giving? TALK: “God, help me to experience joy in my giving. Settle in my heart exactly what it is You want me to give.” TAKEAWAY: Based on what you have sown in your giving, what can you expect to reap? Think of one way that you can give (sow) generously this week to an individual, to your stu- dent ministry, or to your campus. SOCIAL MEDIA POST: We can never out-give God. If we give little, we’ll receive little. If we joyfully give much, we’ll receive much. #youthalive  TEXT: JOHN 3:16 (NLT)
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. THOUGHT: Because God loved the world, He gave. Everything. What is His love leading you to give? TALK: “God, thank You for giving everything for me. Help my giving to be led by a pure and compassionate heart.” TAKEAWAY: Are you driven by selfishness or sacrifice? When was the last time you gave sacrificially? Is there something God’s love is leading you to give sacrificially today? SOCIAL MEDIA POST: If God gave His Son so we could be saved, why do I struggle with giving? God isn’t selfish, so I’m praying I won’t be either! #youthalive  TEXT: PROVERBS 11:25 (NIV)
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. THOUGHT: Sometimes we think our needs won’t be met if we serve others, when in fact, the opposite is true. When you refresh others, you will be refreshed yourself. If you are feeling down and discouraged, the solution is to serve someone! TALK: “God, I pray that You would meet my needs as I meet the needs of others.” TAKEAWAY: What can you do today to move toward becoming a person whose life is marked by generosity? SOCIAL MEDIA POST: Hoarding money leads to greed, but giving helps us become generous. God is a giver, and I want to be like Him. #youthalive  TEXT: MATTHEW 25:40 (NLT)
“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” THOUGHT: According to Jesus, the extent that we love the “least of these” is how much we actually love Him. It’s easy to serve the star quarterback or school principal, but Jesus calls us to serve people that we may not want to be seen with. TALK: “God, help me to love and serve everyone in the same way I would serve You.” TAKEAWAY: What can you do today to serve someone who cannot boost your social status with their friendship? SOCIAL MEDIA POST: It’s easy to love people we like—it’s totally different to love someone we don’t like. Jesus calls us to both. #youthalive  TEXT: TITUS 3:8 (NLT)
This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone. THOUGHT: Even as Christians, it is easy to get caught up in sin or serving ourselves. This is why Titus says we must “be careful” to devote ourselves to good works—it requires intentional action. TALK: “God, help me to devote myself to good works so that I can fully live out my faith.” TAKEAWAY: What can you do today to intentionally bring good into this broken world? SOCIAL MEDIA POST: It’s not enough to wish good for others, we need to intentionally DO good for others. #youthalive  TEXT: 1 JOHN 3:18 (NLT)
Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. THOUGHT: God is faithful to His Word. As His children, it is important that we live out what we say we believe. We only love others to the extent that we act. TALK: “God, give me Your heart for the people around me and let that love compel me to action.” TAKEAWAY: What can you do today to practically love the people around you? SOCIAL MEDIA POST: I’m sorry for Christians who say they love you, but their actions say otherwise. I pray you experience AUTHENTIC love. #youthalive |
RYANBROOKS
Youth Pastor at People's Church in Arnold, MO.
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