"Cheerful Giver" By Diane Webb
II Corinthians 9: 7—"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."
Give what your heart tells you to give—whether it's of money, of time, or of talent. Do not be resentful, boastful, or proud. Give according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This makes God happy. He loves what you give from your heart and he is the only one who knows what is truly in your heart. Do not look for praise, appreciation, or acknowledgement. Do not expect special treatment and admiration. If you cannot give or do from your heart pray about it and do what the Holy Spirit leads you to do. Giving or doing cheerfully is what God wants from you. He wants you to love him and do what you do out of that love—not out of fear or obligation; not out of expectation of a reward. Do not tell people what you have given or what you had done. Keep it between you and God. This way you can be sure there are no hidden agendas on your part (be sure you are not seeking admiration, praise, or gratitude). Do what you do out of love and rest knowing you've given your best for God.
Dear Heavenly Father, help me recognize when I am not giving with a cheerful heart—whether it's my tithes, offerings, time, or talent. I love you and I want to please you out of love. I do not need thanks from people. All I need is your love. I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment