All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
— Acts 4:32-37

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God’s Budget and Mine
by Jennifer Kane

I made a budget line by line,
Each dollar marked as “need” or “mine,”
But Heaven smiled and softly said,
“Have you yet asked how I spend bread?”

For God does not count wealth as gold,
Nor treasures kept, nor savings told;
His balance sheet is love and grace,
Invested in the human race.

He budgets mercy every morn,
Pays debts of hearts that feel forlorn,
He stores up joy for those who weep,
And guards our souls while angels keep.

His profit comes in lives restored,
In faith renewed, in hearts outpoured.
His losses?—none who trust His plan;
His riches fill the Son of Man.

So now I draft my list anew:
What’s “mine” is His, what’s His flows through.
Frugality becomes my friend,
That generosity may never end.

Each coin I save, I save to give,
Each breath I spend, I spend to live.
My ledger fades, His love remains—
For God rewrites my earthly gains.

And when the books of life are shown,
May it be said of mine alone:
“She balanced grace with faithful art—
God’s budget lived within her heart.”

~~~~~

Scripture: Acts 4:32-37

The early church was a community marked by unity, love, and generosity. They didn’t merely share words of faith—they shared their lives. Their hearts were knit together by the Holy Spirit, and this deep connection overflowed into tangible acts of giving. Property was sold, needs were met, and the apostles distributed resources “as anyone had need.”

Some have misunderstood this passage, thinking it teaches forced communal living or financial recklessness. But the truth is much richer. The believers’ giving was voluntary—a Spirit-led, love-driven response to the needs among them. Their generosity wasn’t a mistake; it was a miracle of the heart.

This generosity didn’t contradict frugality—it depended on it. Frugality, when rooted in faith, is not stinginess but stewardship. It’s a careful guarding of God’s blessings so that those blessings can be multiplied for His glory. The early believers lived simply not to hoard, but to free their hands for giving.

When we view all we have as God’s, both our saving and our spending take on eternal purpose. Frugality becomes wisdom, and generosity becomes worship.

To be frugal is to live intentionally—to avoid waste so that you can give freely. Each wise choice creates margin for ministry. When we skip an unnecessary purchase or resist lifestyle inflation, we make room for spontaneous giving and lasting impact.

True generosity flows from love, not guilt. Like Barnabas, we give because we delight in seeing others lifted up. We don’t just give money; we give time, encouragement, skills, and presence. A generous heart always finds a way to pour out what it has received.

The key to both generosity and frugality lies in this truth: “neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own.” When you stop saying “mine,” you start living as a steward of what belongs to God. You no longer fear losing possessions, because they were never truly yours to begin with. Instead, you find joy in moving God’s resources from your hands into His purposes.

Frugality protects the seed. Generosity plants it. God brings the increase.

Am I managing my resources in a way that increases my ability to bless others?

Do I give with a joyful heart, seeing myself as a channel of God’s blessing?

~~~~~

Lord, teach me to hold what You’ve given with open hands. Help me to be both wise and generous— frugal not out of fear, but out of faith, generous not for recognition, but for love. May my stewardship reflect Your heart, and may my giving bring You glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

October 15, 2025