Sure, we have bills to pay, things to buy, a family to support. But think about it. Typically the bills, the things we buy, and the family we are supporting is for them. Others, not ourselves. I mean we benefit from most of those things, but in all actuality, if we have a family our income is going toward supporting our family.

We budget, and plan for things, and though we are trying to manage our money well—even saving up for that next big thing, sometimes in the process we often times forget about others.

Yes, and though our family is other people, and we do provide for them, what about those outside of our immediate family? What about those who are in need? What about our fellow man, our brother or sister?

So many times we leave that area of life to the churches. When in all actuality, many who are believers don’t even give to the church financially—yet expect the church to give to others and care for those in need. We forget, the church has bills, people to pay, ministries to fund, and believe it or not this is all funded by the people who give faithfully out of love for God.

But the issue at hand is not tithing, rather outside of what we give to the church. How do we bless others who are in need—separate from our tithes.

One way we can do this is by budgeting for others. Why not plan to be for those in need? I believe this is crucial when it comes to blessing others. How can we give, if we are not prepared to give? How can we give when the need arises, if we have nothing to give?

This past year God has really showed my wife and I that in order to bless other people, we needed to set aside a portion, and include this into our budget. Through that, God has given us numerous opportunitites to give when the need arose.

We determined that what goes into that account is not ours, but it belongs to others. Our bank accounts weren’t meant for us, but for other people. Why do we do this? Well, when we first started, it was mainly because we felt God lay this on our hearts, but the more we’ve learned from Scripture, the more we realize that generous giving points others to Jesus.

In fact, God gave generously to us. We could go a little further and say, God owed us nothing, but in His loving kindness provided for us who were in need. John 3:16 articulates this well

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

The point is not to sound the alarm of a good deed done in a self-righteous way, rather simply to encourage, exhort, and teach that we as Christians have the opportunity to point others to Jesus in the same way through generous giving, to those in need.

Especially, because we declare the ultimate display of generosity—the gospel.

“But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.” -2 Cor 8:7

What this looks like.

1. It means sacrifice. Other peoples needs are always more important than our wants.
2. It’s simply budgeting for others. This provides opportunity to meet needs, buy a meal, support a cause, and so much more.
3. Does there have to be a need in order to bless? No. Its not about giving to the poor, its about making an initiative to both give to those in need, and bless those who aren’t. It’s kindness. It’s love. It’s generous giving.
4. The point is not simply to do good deeds, but to point others to Jesus, who alone can met our ultimate need—forgivness of sin.