"I can't afford to be generous until I get my own finances fixed first."
How it sounds in your head: You're in no position to give. Fix your own oxygen mask first. Once you're stable, debt-free, and have savings, then you can think about generosity. It's irresponsible to give when you're struggling.
"How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality."
-- 2 Corinthians 8:2World system says scarcity requires hoarding; religion makes giving conditional on financial stability.
It seems logical—you can't give what you don't have. Financial advisors say get out of debt before charitable giving.
She had two small coins—literally all she had to live on—and she gave both. Jesus didn't rebuke her for financial irresponsibility; He celebrated that she gave everything, and said she gave more than all the rich people combined.
I REFUSE the lie that I must fix my finances before I can be generous. IT IS WRITTEN that the Macedonians gave out of DEEP POVERTY and it abounded to riches. The widow gave her last two coins and Jesus celebrated her, not rebuked her. Generosity doesn't flow FROM abundance—generosity CREATES abundance. IT IS WRITTEN: Give, and it SHALL BE given—good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over. The BARAK blessing on Abraham made him a blessing to nations. I give NOW, from connection to the VINE, and supernatural provision follows.
Your Father isn't waiting for you to stabilize your budget before He can bless you. He's watching for the moment you'll trust Him enough to give from your lack—because that's when He gets to show off His supernatural multiplication in your life.