A CHEERFUL GIVER

DAY 222 OF 365 IN 2021

2 Corinthians 9:7 Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift].

God does love the cheerful giver! We see evidence to this effect right from the old testament in the stories of Abel and Abraham. The former offered the best of his flock and the latter was ready to give up the son of His old age as an offering to God. Both men made sacrifices that pleased God and He made sure to commend their offerings.

Yet, it is the words of Jesus that further sheds light on the heart of God towards the cheerful giver. In John 10: 17-18 we read “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My [own] life so that I may take it back. No one takes it away from Me, but I lay it down voluntarily. I am authorized and have power to lay it down and to give it up, and I am authorized and have power to take it back. This command I have received from My Father.”

From the very onset therefore, Jesus the son, could have made the choice not to lay down His life even though the father had given Him to the world. It took the son’s willingness to lay it down His life. That is why He was exalted and given a name above all names, at the mention of which every knee should bow.

We need to appreciate the place of “giving cheerfully” both to God and to men because only then can we think of it as a sacrifice, one that pleases God. Our desire and decision to give must be without compulsion for in that domain, it is nothing more than actions taken under duress. Beloved, every giving must cost us something!  In the very least, it must come at the cost of ‘the desire to give’. So while you give, do ask yourself “what is this costing me?

#sly