This is the curse of superficial religion: the constant attempt to do outward things apart from inward transformation.

When God tells us to give extravagantly, we can trust Him to do the same in our lives. And this is really the core issue of it all. Do we trust Him? Do we trust Jesus when He tells us to give radically for the sake of the poor? Do we trust Him to provide for us when we begin using the resources He has given us to provide for others? Do we trust Him to know what is best for our lives, our families, and our financial futures?

Clearly our greatest need is not more regulations in order to merit salvation.

There is indescribable joy, deep satisfaction and an eternal purpose in dying to ourselves and living for Christ.

Surely the gospel evokes unconditional surrender of all that we are and all that we have to all that He is.

God's ultimate concern is not to get you or me from point A to point B along the quickest, easiest, smoothest, clearest route possible. Instead, his ultimate concern is that you and I would know him deeply as we trust him more completely.

The Bible clearly reminds us that left to ourselves, we would be lost forever.