Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Psalm 37:21-40 (NIV)
21 The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously; 22 those the Lord blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be destroyed. 23 The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; 24 though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. 25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. 26 They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing. 27 Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. 28 For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the wicked will perish. 29 The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever. 30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. 31 The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip. 32 The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, intent on putting them to death; 33 but the Lord will not leave them in the power of the wicked or let them be condemned when brought to trial. 34 Hope in the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it. 35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a luxuriant native tree, 36 but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found. 37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace. 38 But all sinners will be destroyed; there will be no future[d] for the wicked. 39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. 40 The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them because they take refuge in him.
How is generosity with money an indicator of trust and waiting on the Lord?
Lord, You are the giver of all things. You created this world and everything in it. Help me to recognize that all that I have is Yours. I thank You. As I submit my life to You and live in Your Word, You are transforming the desires of my heart. Instead of focusing on the temptations of the devil in physical pleasure, materialism, and significance, You have made me content with lesser things. Instead of fearing that I won’t have enough, or that I won’t get noticed, or that I am missing out, I can trust that my future is in Your hands and I can be satisfied. I could hoard all the money, things, and power to build for tomorrow, but they are not only fleeting but I would miss out on the joy of what You have in store for me and others today. Gratitude, contentment, and obedience have allowed me to look at my life and other people in a different way. Generosity cleans my heart and helps me get closer to You. Generosity is at the heart of what faith is all about. Generosity becomes a way of living. I have the freedom to let go of my worries and anxiety of what I may not have and trust that You will not only provide for me but can work through me to do greater things in Your name. I find Your fulfillment when I share my time and resources in a way to bless others. Help me to take every opportunity to experience the fullness of Your blessing by giving generously. Help me to never be satisfied with the level of my giving but always to seek to become more generous. Let me be a good steward of all that you have given me. Amen