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There are two kinds of givers.
One feels like he has a good reason (excuse) not to give. He is a grudging giver.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7, 2 Chronicles 17:1-19 – an example of grudging givers.
The second type of giver is glad for the opportunity. Giving for him is a joy.
There were two chests for alms in Judaism. One for what the jews were required to give by law. The second was for “what was above and beyond.”
2 Chronicles 17:16
Amasiah wasn’t forced to join the army. He was a volunteer. We don’t really know anything else about him, but we do know that he willingly offered himself to the Lord.
2 Corinthians 8:1-24
We notice something similar about the church in Macedonia. They gave their own selves firstly to the Lord.
Romans 12:1, Hebrews 10:5-10
The heart of a cheerful giver belongs to God.
The heart of a cheerful heart is willing.
Exodus 35:5
Giving should happen out of a heart that is thankful for the redemption that Jesus offers. A heart that is owned and redeemed by God.
What do Christians offer cheerfully?
1. Christians are to offer obedience cheerfully. Obedience is an offering, it is us saying, “I give up my way for your way.” 1 John 5:3 God’s commandments are to be kept out of a heart of cheerfulness. John 14:15. If a man love me, he will keep my words and my Father will love him. And we will come unto him and make our abode with him.
2. Proverbs 31:1-31 Christians are to serve with cheerfulness. Nehemiah 11:1-2 There was a certain number of men who voluntarily decided to move into jerusalem. They were blessed by their fellow countryman. Romans 12:6-10 God loves cheerful givers/servants doing their work. Paul labored hard to make a living so that he wouldn’t have to be supported by the church. 1 Thessalonians 2:8-9.
There are many blessings related to cheerful, joyful giving.
Acts 20:35
There is more blessing to be had in cheerful giving, Paul says than it just giving out of requirement.
2 Corinthians 9:6-9
This is not an foundation for “health and wealth” theology to be built upon.
Judges 5:2
Great joy.
What is our/my attitude towards giving? Am I a cheerful giver?
Do I see it as a burden/obligation? Do we resent the pleas for more? Do we resent the encroachment upon our time and energy? These kinds of attitudes sap the cheerfulness right out of giving. Our attitude and motive for giving affects loads of things, how much we give as well as the quality of the gift, it affects our diligence in service, it affects others, it affects us.
We can’t give everything. There are plenty of times that we need to say no. The thing that we need to be sure of is that our hearts are offered firstly to God.
Let us be cheerful givers.