Are you a movie fan? I am. And if you’re like me you’ve probably seen the latest Batman movies. In the movie “Batman begins” Bruce Wayne makes a statement that his actions define who he is. And on a large part I would agree with that statement. It is our actions that can define who we are as believer and followers of Jesus. Of course, there are times when our actions don’t show a very pretty definition of who we are. We have to remember, this world is watching us as believers to see if the faith we proclaim, is also the faith that guides our actions when life begins to ‘squeeze us’.

Do you ever get tired of the news? I know I do. If you listen to the news it will flat depress you. Every day we hear how horrible it is and how tomorrow will be ‘horribler’. Each day comes with a sense of worsening economic news. The economy is down. Money is short. Credit is tight. Things are getting worse. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.  They need to get a new song because this one is getting really old.

No doubt, we are in times that are hard. But listening to the negativism on the news and in the newspaper will not solve the issue. Granted, we should not bury our heads in the sand. But we should see these times as great opportunities for God to show His mighty power in our lives.

As believers, we need to remember what defines us. We are not defined by what the news says, by events in this world, we are not defined by the papers, by this lousy economy or even by what happens to us in our daily lives. As believers we are defined not by what happens, but by our response in faith. We define the world and what happens in it by our faith in God.

If you listen to the news, you will become a scared, selfish, tight fisted person who is afraid and is only looking out for ‘number one’. We see this in churches across the country as people are getting scared and giving is dropping. People think that cutting back on their giving is going to help their money go further. When we do this, it shows where our hearts really are. It says we have more faith in our money and our ability to manage it, than we have faith in God to supply all our needs as we trust Him.  

I am going to give you my sure fire way to never run short on your income. Give to God in abundance. That’s it. Give it to God, and don’t stop. When the world says that the economy is going south, the stock market is getting worse, and ‘things ain’t never been this bad before’, this is God’s time to shine. Give. Give abundantly. Give without restraint. Give with joy. Give to the Lord as a thanks for all you have. Give as a declaration that your God has never run out of money for those who trust him.

Cindy & I worked for a non-profit for 12 years were we each made $900 a month and the first thing we did was tithe. Some will think that is loony, but we never ran short on anything we needed. We trusted God with our money and our giving was consisitent no matter what. We trusted that He would supply our needs, and we put our faith into action. We acted upon the belief that God knew all our needs and He could supply the money issue far better than we could manage it.

When we continue to give back to the Lord, even when the news tells us to hide and hoard our money, we send a clear message of faith to those around us. The news tells us ‘fear’. The bible says, ‘faith’. But remember, faith isn’t faith until it is acted upon. So act - give. Don’t stop. Prove God right and the news wrong. Give. Our God is greater than the situations of life, greater than the stock market, greater than anything that comes. God doesn't need your money, He wants your heart to act and live in obedience to Him.