Finding Financial Balance: GivingSample

CHEERFUL GIVING

In 2 Corinthians 9, the Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthian Church about a gift that the church had already pledged. Paul seems to be anticipating that there will be some people in the church who will have a negative response to his encouragement to give. Some things never change! Many a sermon on giving has triggered the thought, “Oh, here we go again, all the church wants is my hard-earned money.” But Paul’s words are the very opposite of pressuring someone to do something against their will. The Apostle says, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Paul meant this sincerely: if you’re still reluctant or feeling forced, if your heart is unwilling, don’t give!

God does not call you to give because He needs your money! It’s all about your heart. God’s interested in your money because He’s interested in your heart. His intent is for the health of your heart and not to do damage. And if you give feeling reluctant, forced, or guilted, what do you suppose will be produced in your heart? Anger? Bitterness? Self-pity? In other words, if you do not give willingly, the outcome will be the opposite of what God intends for your heart.

Paul says, “God loves a cheerful giver.” The point of this is not that we give to earn God’s love. The Scriptures are clear that God’s love is not earned. “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:10) The point is about what God sees when we are cheerful as we give. He sees a happy heart. He sees a heart that is excited about Kingdom work. He sees a heart that is trusting in Him rather than in wealth. He sees a heart motivated by kindness and love. He sees a heart that is becoming very healthy. God loves seeing this cheerfulness in you because He loves you and wants the best for your heart!

Ask Yourself:

— Have I been cheerful about my giving?

— How are my feelings toward giving affecting my heart?

Pause to Pray: Dear Father, thank you for loving me unconditionally. Thank you for not making me earn your love. I want to be thankful and cheerful in everything I do and give. Please help me to overcome any feelings of reluctance or feelings of being forced to give. Amen.

Take a Next Step: The next time you give, pause to offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God and pray for the people that you hope the gift will help.