Giving With a Joyful Heart Is About More Than Money

It was never about how much was given. It was always about the heart giving it.

Luke 21:1-4

[1] While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. [2] Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. [3] “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. [4] For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.

Sometimes it feels like giving back to God is so complex. There's just so much to think about and consider. What about this? What about that? Where should it go? Does it have to be money?

The questions go on and on if we start down that road.

In the Bible, we find a bunch of examples of giving back. These verses in Luke paint a beautiful picture of a poor widow giving everything she has. She wasn't reluctant and was not embarrassed by the amount she could give either. In her heart, she was joyful and trusting the Lord. We know this because Jesus was pleased with her and He sees her motives. If she was giving begrudgingly, we would not be reading about her.

Tithing is all about your heart, not what you're giving. Giving with a joyful heart is what mattered to Jesus when He pointed out the widow.

King David gave tons of gold, silver, and materials to build the Lord's temple. That was perfect for his situation because he was blessed with a lot and he did it with a joyful heart.

Reading through 1st and 2nd Samuel reminds me that Hannah's giving back to the Lord was her son! She did so with a joyful heart.

The good Samaritan gave back to the Lord by loving a stranger and even paying for his recovery and doing it joyfully.

The ways we give are sometimes as unique as we are, but they are not set in stone. Things come up, opportunities appear, and finances change. What we see from the Word of God is that whatever you do, do it with a joyful heart.

Keep your ear to the ground, look around, and if you feel something pulling you, pray and ask God if this is what He wants. If that's it, then praise Him for the opportunity and do whatever it is with joy because you trust in His promises.

Giving with a joyful heart means trusting that God will keep His promises and that He will take care of you.

Give and give generously.

Thank you, Father, for one more day. Amen.

Luke 10:33-35

[33] “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. [34] Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. [35] The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here

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