August is an expensive month. Vacations, picnics, entertainment, air conditioners, and school clothes don't come free. As we start to see the summer passing, many people feel so empty they try one more summer fling. And, of course, flings cost money. When we see our money ending before our summer ends, we try to cut corners. Usually we give God, His Church, and His work very little or nothing, and sock our money into amusing ourselves. Consequently, most ministries, including this one, wonder each year if they'll survive the summer.
God's word tells us what to do in the summer crunch. It says: "He who sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will reap bountifully. Everyone must give according to what he has inwardly decided; not sadly, not grudgingly, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor 9:6-7).
Now's the time to take our little money and sow it for God's kingdom. "He will multiply the seed you sow and increase your generous yield" (2 Cor 9:10). If we expect a bountiful harvest, we must sow bountifully.
| PRAYER: | Father, may it take faith to give what I give to Your kingdom. |
| PROMISE: | "I solemnly assure you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it produces much fruit." –Jn 12:24 |
| PRAISE: | St. Lawrence was known for his almsgiving. He rightly identified his wealth as the people of the Church, not the possessions. He was led to give the ultimate for Christ – his very life. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College