Use Your Imagination

I want you to use your imagination as you read the devotional this week.  Imagine that suddenly, magically, mystically, providentially, you had a checkingaccount full of all the money you’ve wasted over the last five years.  All those regretful purchases.  And you can’t spend it.  You have to give it away.  And you have to give it away in twelve months.

Wouldn’t that be fun?  For some of us, that might be hundreds of dollars; for most of us, it would be thousands.  They’re down the street trying to raise $500; you write a check for $500, and say, “Done.”  They’re trying to do something at your kid’s school, and you sit down and write a check.  Can you imagine how enjoyable that would be?  You would be experiencing the joy of living a generous life.

So here’s my question:  Why not just do that going forward?  You look back and see all those dumb purchases over the last five years; you’d love to have it back, even if you couldn’t spend it on you.

So, don’t do that again for another five years.  I want you to experience the feel of being generous, because it’s a powerful, powerful thing.  And you can learn it.  And you will save more.  And you will spend less.  And you will have more joy in your life.  You don’t have to believe me; Jesus said, “You will be happier” (Acts 20:35).

I hope you will decide to be a happier person.  It’s the one who learns to live a generous life — those are the ones who live with incredible happiness, and incredible joy.