Giving ChallengeNäide

Day 11: You Can Give Today

I once bought a gift card for a friend’s birthday and left it sitting on my desk, thinking, “I’ll give it to him next time I see him.” A year later, I found it under a pile of papers, expired. My intention was generous, but procrastination stole the joy of actually giving it.

One of the biggest obstacles to generosity isn’t greed; it’s procrastination. We tell ourselves, “I’ll give when I have more.” Or, “I’ll serve when life slows down.” Or, “I’ll encourage them tomorrow.” But Scripture reminds us that giving is not something to put off. It’s something to do today.

Acts 20:35 records Jesus’s powerful words: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (NIV). Notice the present tense. The blessing of giving isn’t a future reward only; it’s something you experience now, when you act in faith and love.

Hebrews 3:13 urges us to “encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today’” (NIV). In other words, the best time to give encouragement, kindness, and help is right now. You don’t know what tomorrow holds, but you do have today.

Proverbs 3:27 gives a practical warning: “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act” (NIV). Opportunities to give are often right in front of us—a coworker who needs encouragement, a neighbor who could use help, a friend who needs prayer. When you delay, you miss the chance to be God’s hands and feet in that moment.

Giving today doesn’t mean you have to do something huge. Sometimes it’s as simple as sending a text, buying a meal, sharing your time, or offering a prayer. What matters most is obedience. When we give today, we align ourselves with God’s Spirit and join Him in His work in the world.

The truth is, tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. But today is a gift, and it’s an opportunity to make a difference. So don’t wait. Step into the joy of giving right now.

Challenge:

Do one act of giving today. It could be financial, relational, or spiritual: something as simple as encouragement or as bold as sharing your faith. Whatever it is, please don’t put it off. Step into the blessing of giving today.

If you enjoyed this 11-day challenge to become more generous like Jesus, consider taking it to the next level with the 40-day Giving Challenge available here. Or talk to your pastor and consider using this resource for a 40-day church series complete with sermons, small groups, books, and more.