The JOY of Giving

I realize my posts have been a bit somber as of late. So, tonight, I'm thinking about the joy of generosity and the heart attitude of a true Christian--cheerful giving. Here's an excerpt from tonight's email to the girls, on our one hundred and twentieth day of reading the Word and writing to our sisters in Christ!

Hello, dear girls!

Exodus 25 begins, "The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me." (ESV) The NKJV reads, " Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering." The chapter then goes on to describe the various offerings of precious metals, fine linens, prized fibers and pelts, wood, oils, incense, perfume, spices and jewels for the building of the tabernacle. The giving was so abundant that the Israelites later had to be restrained from giving any more, so ample was the supply of treasure for the house of the LORD.

What I love is how God asks the willing heart to give. And when the tender, willing, generous heart gives, there is an abundance. The Old Testament transitions seamlessly into the New as its themes are carried over again in 2 Corinthians ch. 9 v. 7: "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Proverbs 11:25 "Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered."

Isaiah 32:8 "But a generous man devises generous things, And by generosity he shall stand."

The Bible is full of teaching on generosity. The truth is that a willing, giving heart is a characteristic of true believers. True Christians love to give, even if they have practically nothing as far as material possessions goes. They share out of what the Lord has given to them, and he greatly values and blesses such a heart. Lots of people don't tithe anymore, yet there are lots of people who do still tithe--but I once heard an excellent sermon on why Christians should think again if they consider themselves generous people by tithing 10% of their income to the church. This speaker said Christians should cultivate a heart of joyful, ecstatic giving, and delight in sharing 20%, 30% or more of the abundance they have been given! Definitely a revolutionary thought for the hundreds of comfortable, well-to-do people listening to his message--myself included.

Materialism, entitlement, and a false sense of ownership run deep in our American culture. Be wary of this anti-Christlike attitude. We don't own the things we have, God does! Who do we think we are to hoard them? It doesn't matter if we're selfish with our money, time, food, prayers, friendship, energy, skills, service or anything else--it is not right to keep these things only for ourselves. They are to be used to bless others and ease their burdens, and show the tangible hands and feet of our Savior's love to those around us. Not doing so is damaging to our effectiveness as ambassadors for Jesus. For example, are you leaving gospel tracts at restaurants? OK, good--but you better leave a good tip too, because actions and generosity pack a powerful punch to back up your witness. Do other people know you're a Christian, but get the vibes that you don't really care whether or not they exist, and you're certainly not going to offer them anything that they might be needing? Such an attitude is about as effective at lighting up a dark world as a dollar-store flashlight with half a battery. Don't be a spiritual Scrooge. Not only is it unpleasant for yourself and everybody else, on a much more serious note, it is in direct disobedience to God's commands to his children. And we're 100% in, remember? All or nothing. None of this lukewarm business.

I would like to encourage you to think about this and consider what things God has given to you and your family that you could be more generous with. If you're drawing a blank, pray that He will show you how to be more generous, not only in sharing whatever you've been given, but also in developing the heart of a joyful giver, and then pray earnestly for opportunities to GIVE! Be creative--you'll be surprised at the plethora of things that can be shared.

Love always,
Brenna