CHEERFUL GIVERS
"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God." 2 Corinthians 9:7-11 KJV)
If you go to church, you have probably heard that, "God loveth a cheerful giver". You probably heard it just before the offering plate was passed--and the tithes and offering were received. We tend to associate this portion of Scripture with our giving in church, to God, to be used by the assembly, but if you read this chapter, and not just that phrase, you will understand that it is not referring to this type of giving. It is quoted so often, at offering time; and we are told to put a smile on our faces, when we give; we clap and call offering time, "happy time" at some of our churches. There is nothing wrong with that.
The problem is that for many of us, that is the extent of our "happy time" in terms of giving. We do that and nothing else. This 9th chapter of 2 Corinthians, is focused on giving to bless others--not an assembly, but people--the Body of Christ. It deals with meeting the needs of those who are struggling--our brothers and sisters in Christ. It teaches us how we are to respond to the needs of others. Sometimes, we give--but grudgingly. Sometimes, we are counting just how much we give, thinking that we are tired of helping, looking to get it back--even when we don't truly have a need to be repaid, or just making others feel bad, in their time of need. That isn't cheerful giving. I know, from experience, it is most difficult to be in need, and have to rely on the kindness of others. But, to have the need, and have it met grudgingly, is much worse.
No one wants to feel like a burden. We have to be cognizant of how we respond to others, in need. If you aren't going to bless "cheerfully", as far as the Word is concerned, your gift doesn't amount to anything, anyway--don't bother to expect to be blessed for giving--if you don't give cheerfully! Motives matter a great deal, to God. Remember, God is after your heart--He sees and knows the intent of your heart. He knows if you really are cheerful in your giving, or if you just give out of duty, or to be seen, or to avoid embarrassment--or whatever your motive might be. Think about the Scripture, in 1 Corinthians 13. "Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God's love in me), I gain nothing".
It doesn't only matter that you give, but also, how you give. In order for you to reap the blessings for your giving--you must give cheerfully--that is what causes God's grace to "abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things". It's the attitude behind your giving, that makes the difference. If someone is left feeling bad, because of the way you gave your gift, how can you possibly expect the grace of God to abound in your life and for God to richly bless you with more substance? Not giving cheerfully, makes you an unworthy servant. If God cannot trust you to give with joy (in that, you are able to be a blessing), why should He joyfully give you the things that ye have need of and desire? Many of us, have blocked our blessings, (as well as, the blessings of others) because we have given, with the wrong attitude. When that happens, we block the blessings of God in our lives, becoming our own stumblingblock--and/or someone else's (and, it is a domino effect). His Word is clear--do it according to Scripture, and you will be blessed. Don't, and you will be cursed.
In terms of blocking others blessings, allow me to explain. Remember when Jesus told His disciples to pay the taxes? "And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee." (Matthew 17:24-27). That day, there was money to pay the taxes, in the mouth of the fish--not likely to happen now, though. You probably have heard someone say "money doesn't grow on trees!" It isn't that God cannot still miraculously give us money this way--it is simply that He has another plan in place. Our blessings will come through human instrumentation. That's the plan. Don't believe me??? Luke 6:38 says, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Who does it say, will give to us? Men. That's us--people. We are the means that God uses to bless others. If we are stingy, or unwilling, the blessing that your brother needs, is held up, by us .
We do block the blessings of one another--in not giving, and in giving with the wrong mindset. God is not going to change His plan--we must get on board, if we want to be blessed! And take note again, to the second part of Luke 6:38--the same way you give, is how you will receive. Give grudgingly...hmmmm. Give with joy, bountifully...reap bountifully, and God will be thrilled to bless you. Many of us, haven't only hurt ourselves, by the manner in which we give, but because this is God's plan for the Kingdom--we have been in the way, of Him blessing others. He wants to use you, to bring things to pass in the lives of someone else, but because you withhold the substance He gave you, to bless the next person, they don't have the means to be a blessing, in other ways. When you bless them, they will in turn bless someone else, as God blesses them through you, at least, that is how it is supposed to work. Don't be the one who holds up the progress of the Kingdom of God!
Finally, brothers and sisters, we don't need bigger barns (like the man in Luke 12:18); we need to give--joyfully.
Want to be blessed? Be a blessing--that's how it works!
Let the love of God, be our guide, in giving!!!
Love & Abundant Blessings,
Lisa
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God." 2 Corinthians 9:7-11 KJV)
If you go to church, you have probably heard that, "God loveth a cheerful giver". You probably heard it just before the offering plate was passed--and the tithes and offering were received. We tend to associate this portion of Scripture with our giving in church, to God, to be used by the assembly, but if you read this chapter, and not just that phrase, you will understand that it is not referring to this type of giving. It is quoted so often, at offering time; and we are told to put a smile on our faces, when we give; we clap and call offering time, "happy time" at some of our churches. There is nothing wrong with that.
The problem is that for many of us, that is the extent of our "happy time" in terms of giving. We do that and nothing else. This 9th chapter of 2 Corinthians, is focused on giving to bless others--not an assembly, but people--the Body of Christ. It deals with meeting the needs of those who are struggling--our brothers and sisters in Christ. It teaches us how we are to respond to the needs of others. Sometimes, we give--but grudgingly. Sometimes, we are counting just how much we give, thinking that we are tired of helping, looking to get it back--even when we don't truly have a need to be repaid, or just making others feel bad, in their time of need. That isn't cheerful giving. I know, from experience, it is most difficult to be in need, and have to rely on the kindness of others. But, to have the need, and have it met grudgingly, is much worse.
No one wants to feel like a burden. We have to be cognizant of how we respond to others, in need. If you aren't going to bless "cheerfully", as far as the Word is concerned, your gift doesn't amount to anything, anyway--don't bother to expect to be blessed for giving--if you don't give cheerfully! Motives matter a great deal, to God. Remember, God is after your heart--He sees and knows the intent of your heart. He knows if you really are cheerful in your giving, or if you just give out of duty, or to be seen, or to avoid embarrassment--or whatever your motive might be. Think about the Scripture, in 1 Corinthians 13. "Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God's love in me), I gain nothing".
It doesn't only matter that you give, but also, how you give. In order for you to reap the blessings for your giving--you must give cheerfully--that is what causes God's grace to "abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things". It's the attitude behind your giving, that makes the difference. If someone is left feeling bad, because of the way you gave your gift, how can you possibly expect the grace of God to abound in your life and for God to richly bless you with more substance? Not giving cheerfully, makes you an unworthy servant. If God cannot trust you to give with joy (in that, you are able to be a blessing), why should He joyfully give you the things that ye have need of and desire? Many of us, have blocked our blessings, (as well as, the blessings of others) because we have given, with the wrong attitude. When that happens, we block the blessings of God in our lives, becoming our own stumblingblock--and/or someone else's (and, it is a domino effect). His Word is clear--do it according to Scripture, and you will be blessed. Don't, and you will be cursed.
In terms of blocking others blessings, allow me to explain. Remember when Jesus told His disciples to pay the taxes? "And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee." (Matthew 17:24-27). That day, there was money to pay the taxes, in the mouth of the fish--not likely to happen now, though. You probably have heard someone say "money doesn't grow on trees!" It isn't that God cannot still miraculously give us money this way--it is simply that He has another plan in place. Our blessings will come through human instrumentation. That's the plan. Don't believe me??? Luke 6:38 says, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Who does it say, will give to us? Men. That's us--people. We are the means that God uses to bless others. If we are stingy, or unwilling, the blessing that your brother needs, is held up, by us .
We do block the blessings of one another--in not giving, and in giving with the wrong mindset. God is not going to change His plan--we must get on board, if we want to be blessed! And take note again, to the second part of Luke 6:38--the same way you give, is how you will receive. Give grudgingly...hmmmm. Give with joy, bountifully...reap bountifully, and God will be thrilled to bless you. Many of us, haven't only hurt ourselves, by the manner in which we give, but because this is God's plan for the Kingdom--we have been in the way, of Him blessing others. He wants to use you, to bring things to pass in the lives of someone else, but because you withhold the substance He gave you, to bless the next person, they don't have the means to be a blessing, in other ways. When you bless them, they will in turn bless someone else, as God blesses them through you, at least, that is how it is supposed to work. Don't be the one who holds up the progress of the Kingdom of God!
Finally, brothers and sisters, we don't need bigger barns (like the man in Luke 12:18); we need to give--joyfully.
Want to be blessed? Be a blessing--that's how it works!
Let the love of God, be our guide, in giving!!!
Love & Abundant Blessings,
Lisa
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