Give Cheerfully

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

When giving is done with the right attitude, it can be a gateway for God to move in significant ways in our lives.  It is important to remember that it is not the amount that we give that matters so much as it is the attitude that characterizes our giving.  God loves it when we give out of a cheerful and grateful heart, a heart that does not give grudgingly or under compulsion. Each person is to give as he purposes in his own heart.

What happens when God loves something that we do? Love is an action word and God’s love is demonstrated through action.  I have found that he often moves, and when he moves, he can move in a big way.  We have seen God’s activity as he intervenes in the affairs of men.  He is interested in the details of our lives, and he frequently gets involved in them.  This is proven by all of the promises he has made in his Word for the believer.  He willvisit us.  Jesus willfellowship with us.  The Holy Spirit will impart life to our mortal bodies.

When we give of our treasure, it shows there is a conversion of our wallet and bank account from the temporal to the eternal.  It helps to break the force of greed in our lives, enabling God to have access to what is so important to so many of us.  When we give of our time or our talent, we demonstrate our dependence on God to use our abilities to further advance his kingdom.  We are turned outward, rather than inward:  “What can I do for others?” rather than“What can I do for myself?”

God is giving us the opportunity to partner with him in meeting the spiritual and physical needs of people in this world!  He has promised to reward us, even though we are simply giving back a portion of what he already owns.  We are the stewards of his provisions.      

 
Heart Deposit: 
Have you made the great discovery of the blessing of giving?  What opportunities has God placed in front of you for giving?  What blessing has come to you as you have responded to God’s direction?