For God Loves a Cheerful Giverنموونە

Giving of Our Resources

Over the next three days, we will look at different things we can give, starting with the material things we own. We benefit from the resources the Lord has given us, be it food, a home, cars, money, etc., and it’s good to use them for our physical needs. But what if what we have been given could also be a blessing to someone else? Our resources may not be extravagant or overflowing, but usually, what the Lord gives to us materially, he asks that we share it with others or use it to bless someone else.

An example of this from my own life is my apartment. For the first few years in France, I lived in a small studio. I could invite people over, but it was tight. I didn’t actively go looking for a bigger apartment, but I did pray about it and tell the Lord that it would make hosting so much easier if I had a bigger apartment. And one day, He gave me one (I don’t have space to tell the whole story here). Inviting people over now is so much easier, but there have been times when I’ve struggled with hospitality and having others in my home.

One particular moment was before our weekly Bible study. One woman would often come over early, which, if I’m being honest, wasn’t always easy for me, but she usually offered to help if I was still cooking. This particular evening, she texted, saying she was coming over early but needed to lay down because she had a long day.

My initial internal response was anger. I also had a long day, but I didn’t have time to sit and rest because I had to cook and make sure the house was ready for Bible study. While I was quietly fuming in my kitchen finishing dinner (she was napping on the couch), the verse “God loves a cheerful giver” popped into my head.

I knew I wasn’t being cheerful. I was being resentful. Running through that verse while still very much annoyed, the Lord worked in my spirit and reminded me that he had given me this apartment to be a blessing to others, not just to myself. The Lord had given me something good, and he desired that I share it with others, not out of obligation, but with joy and eagerness to bless someone else. It’s not always easy. I like hoarding my gifts for myself, but seeing how my things can help someone else is a different kind of blessing.

Recognizing that these are some radical examples of sharing our resources and may not be applicable in the same way today...

What can you take from these verses as an example to follow in your own life?

What are a few things that the Lord has given you, physically, that you could share with or give to someone else that would bless the other person?