A MIND TO GIVE

 

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

 

A MIND TO GIVE

 

2 Cor 9:5-7

5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: [not wrung out of you] for God loveth a cheerful giver. KJV

 

          In the more than five decades that God allowed me to shepherd churches, I did not preach very much about “giving” because I found it personally distasteful. I generally knew who the wage earners were and hesitated to use the shotgun approach to fundraising. I shrink from those who seem constantly to be reminding givers to give. Having said that, I do believe that the redeemed should willingly, even eagerly, give.

 

          Jesus took a seat in the Temple where He could observe givers (Mark 12:41-43). Some contributed with a great show and pride, but one little widow lady sneaked up on the collection box and quietly dropped in her two coins. No one twisted her arm, and no one noted her generosity – except Jesus. He observed the MANNER in which she gave, and he observed the MEASURE of her gift.

 

          We most often approach God expectantly hoping to receive something. Only when we understand that He is the source of all true wealth do we approach Him with thoughts of returning a portion of that abundance. This is the mind of the giving widow.

 

2 Cor 8:12 AMPLIFIED

12 For if the [eager] readiness to give is there, then it is acceptable and welcomed in proportion to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

 

Thank you, Lord, for your rich gifts to me. AMEN