Giving Cheerfully

You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. (2 Corinthians 9:7, NLT)

Let’s face it in these days and times especially, there are so many worthy causes that cry out for us to contribute. We might be compelled to give to many things but feel conflicted because we may barely have enough to live on ourselves. We may want to give but don’t really have a lot of extra in our budget to give to other places or causes. What do we do when we feel that inner tug? When we want to help or contribute but don’t have enough to spread around or share? God does not want us to give out of guilt or feel pressured to give. He does not want us to give through gritted teeth or feelings of resentment, that is why he made giving a matter of the heart also. When we give from a heart that wants to give and not out of obligation or feeling forced, we will experience that joy he speaks of in 2 Corinthians. Giving as the Spirit compels us to give also opens opportunity for God to bless us in ways we did not see coming. When we give cheerfully from the heart we can give bravely, confidently, and be at peace with our decision of generosity. Amazingly God uses our heart to open our hand! Let’s Pray

Dear God, sometimes giving is hard. Not because we don’t want to give or contribute, but because we can be experiencing limitations in our own budget and finances. Help us to give as you compel us to give and trust you to provide for us also. Help us to listen to our heart more and thus become cheerful givers. Amen

Questions for Soul-Tending

How does today’s message resonate with your heart or spirit?

How will you incorporate today’s message into your plan of soul-care?