Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. - 2 Corinthians 9:7God delights in the one who takes delight in giving.
All the leaders and all the people rejoiced and brought their tax and dropped it into the chest until it was full. - 2 Chronicles 24:10This is a great testimony of a time when Joash was king and the temple was in need of repair. Whenever the chest was filled they would empty it, return it, and soon it would be full again.
There is an ebb and flow when it comes to giving. As one part of the body of Christ has a need and receive help, that same part, one day, will be able to supply and give to another who has need --
Your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. - 2 Corinthians 8:14
In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” - Acts 20:35Why would Jesus say this? Maybe because blessing usually affects three people while giving only blesses one. The three are the giver, the recipient and God.
If we find ourselves not being cheerful while giving, the problem will be found in our heart and the solution is in redirecting our heart, not withholding our giving. Our heart follows our treasures --
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. - Matthew 6:21Put your treasures in God's Kingdom and a cheerful heart will eventually follow.
Guidelines for Giving
