Are You A Cheerful Giver
If you read last week’s message about what to do when our minds are filled with worry, then you know that I’ve been struggling with fear when it comes to finances. I know this is what the enemy is using to attack me, so I’ve been praying for the Lord to open my heart and prune it of this fear.
I don’t like giving the devil opportunities to attack me, but he is conniving and will find your weakness and use it against you. This week as I was listening to an online sermon, I felt like God was talking to me. There are times when the Lord talks to us through others, whether it be in person or online, and it is up to us to recognize when this happens.
While I was listening to the sermon, the pastor said, “for God loved us so much that He gave…” We all know this Bible verse, and if you are like me, this was the first Bible verse you memorized as a child. But, the pastor threw me for a loop when he started talking about the difference in the Lord’s attitude and the attitude a lot of us have.
Here is where I felt the Lord smacking my hands. The pastor then said a lot of us have the attitude of “for we love ourselves so much that we keep.” Ouch, that hurt! Did I mention that pruning your heart might be a painful process?
I’ve been trying to be faithful and tithe 10% this year. Tithing is mentioned in the Old Testament, and many think it doesn’t apply to us today, but I have chosen to apply it to my life. But, if I’m completely honest, I don’t always like giving away my money. I want to know what it is being used for, whether they are using it correctly, and how can I know that I can trust them. There are times when my 10% feels like it is too much to give away, and this is where the devil starts to attack me.
How much crap do you have in your house that you don’t use or need? Do you have a garage that is packed, a basement that has boxes stored with stuff you’ve not seen in ages, or maybe you PAY for a storage unit to hold all of your overflows? What if instead of wasting 10% of our income on stuff we don’t need or really want, we used it to tithe instead? I’ve heard it said that the Lord can do more with your 10% than you can with your 90%.
The rational part of me understands this, but the emotional, fearful, and poverty mindset encourages me to hold on to my money just in case I need it later. Most of us get a paycheck or have gotten one in the past, and you’ve noticed the amount of money that is being withheld from it each time. It appears that the IRS wants their money BEFORE it ever hits your hands. I don’t think they trust us to give them their share. Lol!
The great thing about the Lord is He gives all of us free will. Each of us has to make the decision on whether we are going to give. Giving isn’t only tithing; it can be giving of your time, your talents, or even your knowledge. I’ve often said that Joe is much more giving than I am. If someone calls him wanting to buy a truck because they need it for a reason, he will often say, “no, I’m not going to sell it to you, but you can use it as long as you like and as keep it as long as you need.” He has also given away things that people admire or need, although I tell him that most of those things just happen to be MINE!
2 Corinthians 9:7-8
7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
This Bible verse has been on my mind this week. The Lord loves a cheerful giver, and I’m afraid that I’ve been a fearful giver. I feel like He is pruning my heart to turn my mindset around, and I don’t think He isn’t through pruning yet.
I love the Lord, and I feel extremely blessed, so I’m going to keep trying to become cheerful in my giving. I know it isn’t going to happen overnight, but I’m hoping my baby steps will eventually transform my heart. Let me know if you found this post helpful.
To God Goes The Glory!
Have A Blessed Day!
I love your devotions and your web page, Tania. I look forward to them every day. You are a blessing!4
This message hit home to me. I always feel like I can’t tithe because I live pay check to pay check. I’ve got bills and rent and after that there is nothing left. This next year I’m going to try very hard to be a cheerful giver. You can’t out give God.
Our Lord is faithful! I agree with all of these ladies. I always try to write my tithe check first, before paying any other expenses. I have never come up short in 40 years of marriage.
LOVE, this message!!!! this applies to me too.
I try to thank God for every paycheck and when I tithe knowing that you can never out give God.
Tithing is one of the best things a Christian can do, since this $ supports the financial needs of the church, its staff, and its ministries. A tithe (10%) is probably less than you tip a server or hair stylist. So God isn’t asking for much. Can you be cheerful about giving just a tenth? Also, extra offerings set apart for specific needs that show Jesus to others is another way to give. Both make me cheerful!
I did find this post helpful and trust me, you’re not alone. I also struggle with being a cheerful giver for many of the reasons you cited. I’m trying hard to change & think I am improving .. one day at a time.
Tania, I loved today post subject.
My husband and I have always paid a tithe since we were married. God has always been faithful to us. Even when times were lean we tithed and we never missed any kind of monthly payment and were never hungry. We did have to pass up a few things but we learned that we really didn’t need them anyway. I encourage everyone to tithe and see what God can do.
Oh I’m with you girl….I have always been fearful even as a pastors wife. Knowing I should trust and obey, but having a poverty mind set….I might not have enough to last…that is because most of the time I spend on self….I began something in my life that might help. After my husband having to step down as pastor bc of now 11 back surgeries and us moving back to Texas, our income has drastically fallen. I want to make sure (funny how that happens, when your put on the spot) we have money to make it bc I am now the sole breadwinner. I go to the bank each payday and draw out the cash for our tithe and put in an envelope for Sunday. This way I don’t convince myself, “oh i’ll pay that next pay period.” I’m here to say next pay period never comes.. Don’t know if this helps anyone but it has helped me to be a cheerful giver. I will say though that first time I did it it was very tempting to keep it for fear I would run out before next pay period. JUST DO IT and DON’T FEAR FOR GOD’S GOT YA!
Your thoughts on giving are great! Don’t forget the second sentence in that scripture reference regarding God’s abundant blessings!
A few years ago, God spoke to me on this very topic. I bought a home with 17 mature blueberry bushes. In harvest, those plants filled an entire freezer with berries. I was happy to give berries away because of the abundance! But I also knew with full certainty that whatever I was “loosing” would be replaced in the next harvest season. I had no fear.
God takes care of His children -period. We can trust Him in this. Know that He will increase your capacity…not so that your bank account is big, but so that you can smile cheerfully while you give even more! 💕