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New to the Lent, A Closer Walk with God 40-Day Devotion? Start with Day 1!

Take this time to enjoy a closer walk with God. Read a short devotion and a selected Bible verse each day.

It’s Day 11 of the Lent, A Closer Walk with God 40-Day Devotion.

DEVOTION

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

In Memphis, Tennessee, brothers Alan and Eric Barnhart decided to go into business together. Before doing so, then 25-year-old Alan searched the Scriptures to give him inspiration as to how to handle the money the brothers hoped to make. What he found made him come to the conclusion that even though he wanted to be good in business, and had a competitive flair, he didn’t want to make so much money that it would ruin his life and inhibit his relationship with Jesus.

So, in 1986, the brothers agreed to cap their income to match that of middle-class residents in their hometown, while quietly donating the rest of their profits. In their first year of business alone, the brothers anonymously gave away $55,000 to charity – more than Alan’s salary.

For the first 15 years of business, they told no one about their charitable deeds. They only became vocal about their income pledge after they were challenged to help others run their businesses in like manner. After 30 years in business, they gave their 250-million-dollar crane company away in 2007 to a charitable trust. When asked about their decision, they said it was never their business, anyway; it was God’s.

PRAYER

Father, may what we do with our money, time and gifts be for Your glory above all else – not for the glory of other people. Thank You for your gifts of charity to us. Amen.

VERSE

Verse Matthew 6:2-4 (NIV)

Don't have your Bible handy? Click here to read online.

AUTHOR

• Rebecca Jones

  Rebecca Jones is a writer and cake decorating enthusiast who lives in Seaford, Delaware with her husband Tim, and her youngest son -- a musically gifted young man named Samuel. She is equally proud of her birds who have flown from the nest: Glenn, Daniel, and Rachel, and loves her role as mother-in-law to Taylor and Conner. She is owned by her three beautiful kitties -- Shiloh, Fritzie, and Baby -- and plays frisbee practically every day with her playmate: a dog named "Ringo."

  Rebecca makes her spiritual home at Abundant Life Church, Donovan's Road, Georgetown, where she helps in whichever capacity she is able and available.

  Rebecca writes for Morningstar Publications as a freelance newswriter. She also has been a freelance writer for web companies and organizations. In addition, she enjoys voice-over work, as well as oral storytelling.

  Rebecca has had work published in trade magazines, as well as the former "Christian Woman" magazine. "Chicken Soup for the Soul" has published stories in two of their books. She has had short stories published in five different published books.

  She is currently working on personal writing projects which include two plays, a book, a memoir, and a children's book or two. Rebecca can be reached at rebecca.jones.storyteller@gmail.com.