What is it that gives you joy? I mean, what do you really like to do?
I love to cook, bake, be in the kitchen and I love to share what I make with others. It’s what I do.
This morning Paul is talking to the Christians in Corinith about what they love to do. Give.
“Each one of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give. You should not give if it makes you unhappy or if you feel forced to give. God loves those who are happy to give. 8 And God can give you more blessings than you need, and you will always have plenty of everything. You will have enough to give to every good work. 9 As the Scriptures say,
“He gives generously to the poor; his goodness will continue forever.”
10 God is the one who gives seed to those who plant, and he gives bread for food. And God will give you spiritual seed and make that seed grow. He will produce a great harvest from your goodness. 11 God will make you rich in every way so that you can always give freely. And your giving through us will make people give thanks to God.
12 The service you are offering helps God’s people with their needs, but that is not all it does. It is also bringing more and more thanks to God. 13 This service is a proof of your faith, and people will praise God because of it. They will praise God that you freely share what you have with them and with all people. They will praise him to see you following the Good News about Christ that you openly accepted. They will praise God because you freely share with them and with all people. 14 And when they pray, they will wish they could be with you. They will feel this way because of the great grace that God gave you. 15 Thanks be to God for his gift that is too wonderful to describe.” II Corinithians 9:7-15 ERV
Giving should be done because we love to do it not because someone has made us feel guilty or coerced into it. When we give from what we have we bless others and bring glory to God.
Our gift is a seed that brings a harvest and provides more for future giving. Don’t be grudge the size of the gift. To someone who has nothing a gift of a $1 is great; to someone with little an extra $10 seems like a fortune.
I remember a time we were given a freezer full of ground beef by a local dairyman. We had more than our freezer could hold so I called a friend to see if they would like some beef. I wanted to share our blessing.
She was nearly in tears. I put some meat in the car and headed to her place. She had been praying for some meat for dinner, so we were both blessed by a gift and blessed by giving.
Let the Lord show you today what you have to give and then if He prompts you, give it from a cheerful heart.
God has given us SO much it’s a joy to give to others on His behalf!!