Daily Practices – Week 5 – Day 1

THEME: Abundant life grows through sacrifice, not consumption.

GRACE: Lord, help me see where You are calling me to live generously.

Settling in:

• In a journal, note the day, time, and place you’re sitting.
• Open with a few moments of silence. Rest, and breathe deeply.
• Complete the following sentence in your journal: Today, I feel ________________.
• Read these words slowly (aloud or silently):

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:8-10, NIV)

• Pause for a few moments of silence.

Practice:

• Choose one of the following practices.

Option 1: Stewardship [5-30 minutes]

Open your Bible and read the story of the rich young man in Matthew 19:16-26.

When you are finished, take a moment to answer the following questions in your journal:

1. Why do you think Jesus asked this man to give away his possessions?
2. Jesus makes a very clear statement about how hard it is to “enter the kingdom of heaven” as a rich person. What do you think He means by that phrase?
3. Reflecting on your own life, do you consider yourself to be “rich”? Why or why not?
4. How might your current “wealth” be distracting or keeping you from experiencing abundant life with Jesus?
5. In what specific way could you act as a better steward of the resources God has blessed you with?
6. Imagine yourself having taken that small step of stewardship. How might that small action better help you experience life in the kingdom of heaven?

With the time you have remaining, pray and ask God for His grace to take that small step of stewardship.

Option 2: Stewardship [30-60 minutes]

Open your Bible and slowly read the story of the rich young man in Matthew 19:16-26.

Now, read the story slowly a second time, and use your imagination to place yourself in the story as the rich young man. Notice what Jesus says to you, and how you feel about His words of challenge.

Read the story a third time, asking the Lord this question: “Lord, where in my life are You challenging me to better steward your gifts?”

When you finish, write in your journal what you experienced during your meditation. What specific step of stewardship might God be calling you to take? How does that make you feel?

Finally, take a few moments and repeat the words of Jesus as if they were spoken directly to you: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Notice Jesus’ desire is to bring you life and freedom through stewardship. Thank Him for His love, and ask Him for the grace to take that small step of stewardship.

• Summary: Write a brief summary (five sentences or less) of what you experienced in contemplating stewardship.
• Closing Prayer: Lord, help me see where You are calling me to live generously.

Questions? Please email us at info@parishanglican.org