“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.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”
2 Corinthians 9:7-8 NLT
When anyone talks about giving, people for the most part think immediately of money. While money is portion of the equation, to me it is just part of the whole issue of giving. I consider my time and talent far more important than money in the giving process. Why? My time I give to someone or something I can never regain and my talent is unique to just me. No giving is far than just how much money you give but it is a good indicator of where your heart is!
Paul tells us the church, that we are to be cheerful givers, giving not out of compulsion but out our love for the Lord. That includes our time, our compassion, our talents, our desires to serve and lastly, our money. Much like a heart that has been redeemed, that heart will seek to do good deeds. A person who has been saved should adopt a life style of giving due to what the Lord has given them that they didn’t deserve.
My wife and I take these scriptures very seriously as they define who we are, people who love God and seek to please him. The verse also says I will have all I need and plenty left over to share with others. Purpose in your heart to be a person who gives, an open handed cheerful giver unto the kingdom of our Father will be blessed beyond measure!
In Christ
RJ