The God Pocket

Written by Jon C. Wiebe

Read Matthew 25:37-40

In September, we launched a new set of resources built around the principles contained in the book by Bruce Wilkinson, The God Pocket. Check them out here.

Several years ago, I picked up The God Pocket and decided to read it on one of my trips. I was in Salt Lake City when I finished the book and remember praying “OK, Lord, if you want me to be the messenger of your grace and generosity, show me the need and I’ll be obedient.” I decided that rather than set aside a sum of money as encouraged in The God Pocket, all that I have is God’s and through the use of my credit card, I would meet any need God presented. Of course, I would make sure I could pay the balance in full at the end of the month!

That same day as I made my way back to the airport, I stopped to fill my rental car up with gas. I noticed a couple in a beat up jeep parked off to the side of the parking lot. It didn’t take long and the lady got out of the jeep and headed straight for me. I took a deep breath. I knew what was happening. She came over and began to tell me of the crisis which brought them to this point of being out of gas and without money. She asked if I would pay for a gas can and give them a few gallons of gas.

I prayed for insight and told her “no”. Instead, I offered to help push the jeep over to the pump, and fill the tank for them. She was overcome with emotion…and so was I! We pushed the jeep to the pump, I paused, and then swiped my card. As we filled the tank, we had the opportunity to talk about her choices and circumstances, and when we were done, I told her that it wasn’t me who helped her, it was a gift from God. I told her that I was motivated to share with her because of Christ’s love for me. I was just the conduit of His mercy. The money was His to share with her. She was very grateful.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I’ve felt that my giving has become very impersonal. I write checks to ministries we support and I put them in the mail. I give through my Donor Advised Fund. Sometimes I give electronically. I can give without ever touching an offering plate.

The God Pocket is a tool that God has used in my own life to restore the joy of giving, and make giving personal again. It has brought the relational element back into our generosity. But, as Bruce puts it, “God wants to put a face on giving – and the face He has in mind is not yours. But His.” If you’d like to try the God Pocket, let me encourage you with the 7 Ds from Bruce’s book:

Step 1 – Decide how much money you are going to place in your God Pocket (God Pocket is simply a way to isolate God’s money for the purpose of relational, spontaneous generosity).

Step 2 – Devote that amount of money directly to God.

Step 3 – Deposit your devoted money into your God Pocket.

Step 4 – Depend upon God to lead you to the exact person He has in mind.

Step 5 – Deliver God’s funds to the recipient calmly and effectively.

Step 6 – Declare that God is the ultimate Giver who provided the money.

Step 7 – Disciple the person to deliver their own God pockets to others.

Since that first God Pocket experience, my wife and I have experienced many more. Heading on a shopping trip or date with the God Pocket idea in mind, has added excitement, and fear, to our ventures out of Hillsboro!

Does your giving sometimes feel impersonal? Do you experience joy in your giving? When you give to someone directly, do you accept the gratitude personally, or do you point people to the owner of all things? Is your generosity a way to point people to Christ?

I encourage you to try the God Pocket 7 Ds. I’d love to hear your story of generosity! Email me at jwiebe@mbfoundation.com!