Day 1

KINDLE

One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25

SPARK

Dear God, giver of every good and perfect gift. Help me to hold my hands open today, that I might be better able to receive all that you wait to place within them. And, God, I pray that you help me to keep them open so that I can easily allow others to receive from my open hands those gifts you’ve intended for them. Like water rolling through my fingers, let the blessings I receive from you become blessings I share with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

IGNITE

Look through your closets to find an item (or items) that you’ve held onto for a “rainy day” that, if given away, would bless another person today. More than purging old stuff, let this be an opportunity to give something of value away to a specific individual that would be blessed by your giving spirit.

Day 2

KINDLE

If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near,” so that you do not show ill will toward the needy among your fellow Israelites and give them nothing. They may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore, I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.” Deuteronomy 15:7-11

SPARK

Merciful Father, You revealed Your heart for the poor and the downcast through Your son Jesus Christ. He came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. Ignite in us through the power of Your Holy Spirit a tender heart of Christ’s compassion for the poor, the needy, and the marginalized in our community and in our world. Open our eyes to see the real needs of those around us. Open our hands to share from the abundance You have given us so that others may experience Your love and grace in real and tangible ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

IGNITE

Sign-up today to serve in the local missions of our Church. Search our Local Missions webpage at thewoodlandsumc.org/missions and learn more about Conroe House of Prayer, Hope Beyond Bridges, and the Montgomery County Food Bank as well as our other local missions partners. Ask the Lord to lead you to a local mission that cares for the poor and marginalized in our county.

Day 3

KINDLE

Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:1-11

SPARK

Dear God, You willingly left your throne behind to be one with Your creation. You courageously came to the earth to be among us, to love us, and to model for us how to love one another. You showed us that love required a willingness to be last rather than first, to serve rather than be served, to look out for ways to bless others rather than waiting and expecting others to bless us. In order to prove your love to us, you didn’t force yourself or your ways upon us; You sent your Son, with all of His power and authority, to offer Himself to us that we might receive Him. Help us to be so humble, offering our lives to one another in love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

IGNITE

Be on the lookout for ways to serve others today. Give a bottle of water to your mail person or trash collector. Hold the door for others as you enter or exit buildings. Pull in your neighbor’s trashcan. Where can you find ways to serve people who you see on a regular basis – in your daily routine?

Day 4

KINDLE

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 2 Corinthians 9:6-12

SPARK

Dear God, you Who delights in providing for your children. Thank you for the way you cheerfully supply all of my needs. You hear my request, and you respond with much more than I’ve even asked for. Help me to see and hear the needs of others, and to joyfully exceed what will simply satisfy them. Out of the abundance you’ve provided for me, free me to lavishly love those around me as if I were loving you. In the name of the One who generously gave of Himself, Jesus our Lord, Amen.

IGNITE

Go above and beyond today. Over tip your wait staff. Pay for the coffee of the person behind you in line. Buy a few Happy Meals and hand them out. Do something that pushes your natural ability of generosity.

Day 5

KINDLE

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 2 Corinthians 8:1-7

SPARK

Almighty God, I know that in my humanness I often focus on scarcity. Help me see all that I have rather than what I perceive that I do not have. Give me an understanding of the grace of giving and where I may be falling short of what you desire of me. Where am I holding on to money or resources because I do not trust you to meet my needs? Help me see where giving is a response to the generosity that you first lavished on me. I pray that this week you will stir within me a desire to give generously. Amen

IGNITE

Identify something you or your family really enjoy doing (such as dinner out or going to movies). Sacrifice what you identified by purchasing gift certificates for the same experience and giving those to an acquaintance, friend or someone God puts on your heart.

Action Guide Downloads

Week 1: (Download PDF)

Week 2: (Download PDF)

Week 3: (Download PDF)