GET TOGETHER- BE A CHEERFUL GIVER
2Co 9:5-7 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation. But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
Last night I got a great blessing out of helping our daughter Jessye ring the bell for the Salvation Army. It was a great blessing to see people come up and joyfully put money in the kettle. They were giving cheerfully and out of their heart.
I am thankful that I Pastor a church that believes in tithing. I am thankful that we have several tithers here and several cheerful givers. If we didn’t you wouldn’t be reading this from me right now because that is the way that the Lord has chosen to allow me to be a full time Pastor We have also been blessed by others outside our congregation who give cheerfully to help with mission work and various outreaches to the community. I know too many cheerful givers to list them all here.
In this passage Paul is writing to the church at Corinth. He is encouraging them to be cheerful givers. He tells them to let their giving be a matter of generosity. The Greek term for generosity is eulogia. In this context it means that which is bestowed as a blessing, benefit, or gift. This is something being given freely with joy. Paul doesn’t want them to feel that they must give out of compulsion. He doesn’t want to manipulate them, or to make them feel like they are under condemnation, but he wants them to experience the true joy of giving.
However, he does tell them that there is a reward for those who give freely. There is a blessing for those who sow abundantly. They will reap abundantly. And yes, there is a great truth that he is teaching here when he says that those who sow sparingly will reap sparingly. I encourage you during this special time of giving to be a cheerful giver. I also encourage you to not let it be just a seasonal thing with you. That is one of the great blessings of this season as we celebrate the Gift that came down from Heaven. But just as Jesus giving was not just a seasonal thing, don’t let yours be either.
On the other hand, there are so many opportunities and needs during this special season so ask the Holy Spirit where that He would help you to be a cheerful giver. Most churches are short handed on volunteers. You would be surprised what you can do by giving of your time. There are many ways that you can give into the Kingdom either through finances, service, or both.
Paul tells us that the Lord loves a cheerful giver. He loves a happy giver! Are you a happy giver? If you are you can be blessed in knowing that you are blessing the Lord with your cheerful attitude in giving. If you are not then ask the Holy Spirit to impart to you the joy of being a hilarious, cheerful, happy giver!
I was touched when one young man came back to put something in the kettle last night. He had already walked to his car and he turned around and came back. He said that it hadn’t been too long since he was a person needing help. He wanted to give back. When you give into God’s Kingdom it will make a difference. Sometimes we may never know until we are in heaven, but it will make a difference. Be a cheerful giver in season, and out of season.
Let Us Pray
Lord Jesus You are the ultimate example of being a cheerful giver. You gave your life freely for us to be saved from our sins. You are reaping now in a big-time way and we know that because of what You have sown that You will reap in an even greater way. Lord today help us to be cheerful givers. Help us to be people with compassionate hearts. We love You so much.
In Jesus Name
Amen
Merry Christmas
Your Friend/Kinfolk
Preston
