GIVING WITH A RIGHT HEART III
2 Corinthians 9: 1-15
We cannot over flog the attitude required in giving our offerings. A few points are raised in today’s reading and they are worthy of consideration. Paul encourages the brethren to be enthusiastic in their giving. He boasts to other churches about their readiness to give. When offerings are raised in church, don’t be gloomy. Be excited. Every opportunity to give is an opportunity to be blessed. It is a privilege to give to God. He does not need us or our offering. On the other hand, we are the ones that need him. He can do without us, but we cannot do without him. Our offerings cement our relationship with him. So come before him and offer your gifts with gladness of heart. Come dancing. Come joyfully. Prepare it before hand and bring it with great excitement. It is between you and your Father. Don’t be mindful of what others do or don’t do.
Another thing is that every offering is a seed. As you give, you are sowing seeds into your future. See yourself as a farmer. Can you imagine a farmer planting crops without expecting harvest? Therefore see your offering as seeds. Sow with great expectations. Sow in proportion of the size of the expected harvest.
Remember, a stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over and make up your own mind what you will give. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving. 2 Corinthian 9:6-7 (MSG).
The second issue in the quoted verses above is that God is delighted when you give cheerfully. Remember, your offering is part of your service to God. And God commends us to serve him with gladness. Whenever you give, do so with gladness of heart. Be happy to do so. It makes God to be happy with you.
Finally, be expectant of your rewards. God is the one that ministers seed to the sower and bread to the eater. He will not only provide seed for you, he will also give you bread. We must look up to him for both. So as you give, do so with expectations of future seed and bread. As we do so, he will reply us with bountifulness in all things. May God bless us abundantly?
PRAYER: Dear Father, I pray that as I give, please multiply my seed sown and let me reap bountifully in Jesus name.
