Eyes Wide Open: 41-Day Lenten Devotional Sample

Generosity as Overflow

“If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” - Matthew 21:3

Matthew reports that King Jesus ordered two of his disciples to untie a donkey and colt, prior to his triumphal but final journey to Jerusalem (before his crucifixion on Calvary). The donkey and colt were tied up, evidently not wild or astray. Jesus instructed: “If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away” (Matt. 21:3).

The disciples went to obey the King's command and brought the donkey and colt to him. Followed by a cheering crowd, the King rode on them to enter the City of David, to the cries: "Hosanna to the Son of David...Hosanna in the highest!"

Here, we learn some principles about generous giving:

1. The owner(s) sacrificially released the donkey and colt for the King's use. Although the animals were valuable assets, the owner(s) gave and freely gave!



2. The animals were released in a spirit of spontaneity; no questions or written proposals were required. No ear-bending and no arm-twisting was needed.

3. They were donated at a kairos moment when the Lord needed them. How often does the King ask for a donkey and colt?



4. Generous giving to Jesus is rewarding and has far-reaching implications for kingdom advancement.

Historically, the greatest assets of the church have been generous people who love Jesus and are committed to his cause. To help fulfill the Great Commission, that is making disciples of Jesus Christ in every nation, God's people must cultivate a culture of generosity. This culture is developed based on Christological needs and a kingdom-advancing agenda and is displayed in sacrificial giving to meet the need of the hour.

Surely, we will be amazed to see many hidden, but generous givers in heaven. These are the people who released their “donkeys and colts” to support the mission of God.

Let us give our best possessions because "the Lord needs" them.

Prayer: Lord, just as so many before me have given generously out of a spirit of love and sacrifice, make me one who heeds the call to give so that your kingdom grows in all corners of our world. Amen.

- Written by Sadiri Joy Tira