Cheerful Giving: When God's Math Doesn't Make Sense
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
“Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
I don't pretend to know where anyone else is or what they believe when it comes to the messages the Lord puts on my heart. When I am typing these out, I am receiving inspiration as I go, and it's powerful for me, maybe even more so than for others. The Lord has shown me that this ministry will be born out of my life's trials and victories, what He has taught me, and how He has made a way through.
Giving has and will always be one of those things where we all understand we are called by God to give, but our own understanding or lack of faith limits what actually makes it out of our wallet. There are so many "reasons" for this, but the actual root cause is a lack of trust in God's promise.
He says to trust Him, give your money or resources, and He will provide for you, bless your remaining money, and even increase your resources so you can give even more. Giving more from increased resources is truly a blessing! That is the heart of cheerful giving—not giving because we're pressured into it, but giving because we trust the One who provided it in the first place.
Don't believe me? I encourage you to pray about it, then go out and change someone's life through God's provision and tell me you're not full of joy afterward.
I can testify that God's promises are true. I don't remember the exact situation, but I do remember having about $300 in my wallet at the beginning of the week. Day after day, I needed to open it up and take from what the Lord had provided.
I do this thing sometimes where I know my resources are low, so when I take from it, I don't want to know what's left. I close my eyes and take a $20 out. I just didn't want to know what was left until I grabbed the last bill. Stupid.
At the end of the week, I opened my wallet and I still had $300 in it.
My first thought was I must have counted wrong originally, but that would have meant I was off by hundreds of dollars. Highly unlikely. I am convinced that the Lord's math is a beautiful thing, and He blessed us. I was so full of joy when I was able to contribute to the church on Sunday, knowing the Lord had blessed that money.
That's what I've learned about cheerful giving. The blessing isn't just in having enough. There is incredible joy in realizing that God has provided for you and then getting the opportunity to use what He provided to bless someone else.
My hope is that this gets you to analyze your giving and ask God to analyze your heart.
A buddy of mine mentioned that it takes more faith to have a ministry in the US than in Africa. That took me by surprise at first, but I soon saw the truth in what he meant. In Africa, we can "understand" that money and resources are needed, so we give because it makes sense. Here in this country, people tend to think that needs are much less because of the location, so they are reluctant to give.
The truth of the matter is God provides for them regardless of your approval or understanding.
When we pass because we don't think they need it, we eliminate our chance at the blessings that come from trusting God's plan.
Maybe the question isn't whether someone needs what you have to give. Maybe the question is whether you trust God enough to give when He tells you to.
Who's in charge of your resources?
Thank you, Father, for one more day. Amen
2 Corinthians 9:8-10
“And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.”
