God Loves a Cheerful Giver

Paul says "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." He points out an important cause and effect which he also says in Galatians 6:7b, "A man reaps what he sows."

Paul gives three guidelines for giving:-
1. Giving is an individual, private decision in one's own heart. You should not compare with others. You should not give in order to be recognized, applauded, praised, or honored publicly. Motives matter! Give out of genuine love and caring concern. Give out of faith and gratitude to God. Give without expecting anything in return (not even gratitude). Give anonymously when possible. Give to the glory of God, not of self. Remember that everything (not just 10%) belongs to the Lord. On earth, we're simply His stewards. He entrusts us to manage all He owns in the ways that will glorify and honor Him.
2. Giving should not be done under compulsion (coercion, pressure to comply) or with reluctance (unwillingness).
3. Giving should be done cheerfully, willingly, and generously. The attitude behind giving matters. It's generosity of the heart, not of the checkbook, that counts (remember the poor widow's giving in Luke 21:1-4). "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." (1 Timothy 6:18-19) Generosity that reflects God's love, grace, and kindness is an antidote to covetousness and self-centeredness. Do you give cheerfully or grudgingly? Do you love to give or feel obligated to give? Jesus says, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35b) "Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice." (Psalm 112:5) "God calls us to be generous, because in giving others, we are blessed. Our generosity blesses others, certainly, but it also rescues us from the idolatry of greed in our own lives." (Eugene Cho)

Paul then gives an encouragement to help us realize how abundantly and generously God blesses us and provides for all our needs so that we will be well equipped and well supplied for every good work. God is generous towards generous givers. He replenishes our resources so that we can continue to be generous. We are blessed by God to be a blessing to others. Often God meets His children's needs by using us to meet one another's needs. We are to be cheerful, generous givers and not worry about our own needs because God's got our back. God is omnipotent. He has unlimited power and resources. Our needs can never exhaust His supply. "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us." (Ephesians 3:20) 

"God's riches fill up our supply,
Whatever we may need,
So we can then be generous
And not controlled by greed." (Sper)

Prayer: Father, thank You for always meeting my needs! Thank You for Your abundant blessings in my life! Please help me be a blessing to others, a cheerful, generous giver, and a humble, faithful servant. Please show me the needs of those around me and the needs around the world and direct me how to meet those needs. Please help me use resources You've given me wisely according to Your will for Your glory and Your kingdom. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.