Recognizing Our Need to Give - Day 23

September 17, 2012

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."  2 Corinthians 9:7

In this chapter Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to be sure to follow up on a "pledge" they had made earlier to help support the church in Jerusalem.  He didn't want them to be embarrassed, or to be embarrassed himself, by not making good on their promise.  He also reminded them that "Whoever sow sparingly will also reap sparingly, and who ever sow generously will also reap generously," and that God would always take care of them and give them what they needed to live.

The Bible verse above is one with which most of us are very familiar.  Back in the "Good old days" my parents never had a lot of money, but they always had what they needed.  Not just for food, shoes, and buying houses, but for going to school and sending me to college.  They were cheerful givers.  In more recent times, with the growth of materialism and our more-and -bigger mentality, it's much more difficult to be satisfied with what we need.  Or even to separate what we need from what we want.  So many tend to give more reluctantly.  But we still need to give - and give with the right attitude.

And why do we need to give?  Not just because God has asked us to.  Not just because there are so many in need.  But also because it shows our gratefulness for all that God has done for us.  Because it shows we have faith that God will continue to bless us.  Because it shows that our hearts have been cleansed of self-interst and filled with the servant spirit of Jesus.  And because it brings us into a closer relationship with God. 

Dear Lord thank you for all the blessings you have given us.  Help us to truly appreciate them and to use all that we have to your glory.  In Jesus name,  Amen.

Author:  Paul Ingwalson