Devotion: God Loves A Cheerful Giver

In the religious circles, when the subject of money comes up, it incites all kinds of emotions in people.  Though the passage, “the love of money is the root of all evil” (I Timothy 6:10) is guaranteed to be mentioned in the conversation, it is the misinterpretation and misapplication of this passage that creates the most controversy.  Many believers do not believe that man should prosper financially or have wealth because it goes against the teachings of Jesus.  Based on the story surrounding his statement, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:24), many have interpreted this passage to mean that a person with riches cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  So, the belief is that God is against his children having money.  Those familiar with the story of the young rich man (Matthew 19:16-22), saw Jesus tell the man to “go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor” (Matthew 19:21).  Most do not make the connection between when Jesus told the young rich man to give and when he tells us to give, especially when giving to the poor.

“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 (Luke 6:38).  “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come” (Luke 18:29-30 NLT).  “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again” (Proverbs 19:17).  “He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse” (Proverbs 28:27).

Scripture tells us to give but there is one interesting twist in our giving that bears noting; that whenever we give, we will get or receive back something.  The passage goes on to say that whatever we give will be given back to us in full or “in good measure, pressed down, shaken together as to make room for more, and running over.”  The scripture also says that whatever measure we use to give, be it a large amount or a small amount, will determine the amount we get back or be used to measure what we are given back.  We do have to wonder what would have happened to the young rich man had he followed the instructions of Jesus and gave to the poor.  Would what he had given been returned to him in the same measure as he had given?  The scripture clearly tells us to give and it tells us what happens when we obey.

“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (II Corinthians 9:7).

Scriptures makes it very clear that we are to be givers, but every man must make up his own mind as to how much to give, because God loves “a cheerful giver” and does not want anyone “to give grudgingly or out of necessity.”  God wants us to freely give and not feel that we are being forced to give.  It is vital that we understand that there is more to the message and the purpose than just giving and expecting some kind of hundredfold return based on the amount a person gives.  Being obedient, and walking in faith are important ingredients in the mixture, but understanding the true purpose is the key to receiving the revelation of being “a generous and cheerful giver.”  In order for any of this to work God’s way, all must be done with the right motives, with the right intentions, and with the right heart.

Attitude plays a very important part in understanding God’s point of view about giving.  Each of us must make up our own minds and decide in our own hearts as to what to do with this revelation about being “a generous and cheerful giver.”  No one should force you to participate nor should you participate grudgingly, reluctantly, out of necessity and/or under compulsion because this is not God’s way.  This principle applies to all giving, including the giving of tithes and alms.  Understanding the purpose will make you a cheerful and joyous participant in helping God to establish his covenant, which is the true purpose for “the money or the prosperity,” from God’s point of view (Deuteronomy 8:18).  If it is important enough to God to make mention of it, then it should be ultra-important to us that we become “a generous and cheerful giver.”

We pray that today’s inspirational message will give you a new perspective on what it means to “be a cheerful giver.”  We also pray that this message will bless you, inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

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