Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ~2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)
What have you decided in your heart to give today? Every day God brings opportunities our way to give extravagantly to show our love for Him and His love to others. Giving doesn't necessarily have to be monetary; many people give of their time and skills to be a blessing to others. It’s important we learn to hold onto this world including all of the assets that have been entrusted to us loosely and look for those opportunities God brings into our lives to meet the needs of others. One of the biggest restraints to giving is fear. Until we learn to see giving as an opportunity we will never get to a level of sacrificial giving and to become more like Jesus we need to learn to give sacrificially. Sacrificial giving won't seem difficult if we have the Lord’s mind set, scripture teaches that Jesus was looking at the hope set before Him when He gave His life on the cross. He knew Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the Lords, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it.” (NIV) Jesus knew He couldn’t outgive almighty God! And in knowing that and entrusting Himself to God, Jesus is now sitting at the right hand of God while His enemies are being put under His feet. We are told in Hebrews 1:2 “but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, who He appointed heir of all things…” (NIV)
Scripture also teaches that we have the mind of Christ. With Christ's mind set, we are able to give looking at the hope set before us verses what we are giving up! You can rest assured you will never out give God, and to be honest what do you have that God didn't give you? God tells us in Ephesians 4:28 “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” (NIV) We are born into this world as takers. But when we accept Jesus as our Savior and are born again into His kingdom, He transforms us into givers. The bible tells us God loves a cheerful giver and do you know why? Someone who gives cheerfully is giving in faith. When we are reluctant about our giving it shows we are operating in fear. Usually that fear is fear of loss or poverty. When we trust God to be our provider, He opens doors of opportunity to get His provision not only to us but through us. Let God use you today to be His hands and feet by blessing those He puts in your path. We are blessed to be a blessing so be rich in good deeds!
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. ~1 Timothy 6:17-18 (NIV)
What have you decided in your heart to give today?
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