God Loves A Cheerful Giver
Jesus Love Is The Example To Follow
2 CORINTHIANS 9:7
“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
II Corinthians 9:7 NKJV
https://www.bible.com/114/2co.9.7.nkjv
When it comes to giving, attitude is more important than the amount one gives.
The one who is only able to give small should not feel embarrassed. What is important, is why and how a person gives.
Jesus responded when one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.””
Mark 12:42-44 NKJV
God sees the heart, He sees our motives and emotions, nothing is hidden from Him.
God is a cheerful giver. Consider everything He has done for mankind. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (JOHN 3:16).”
As Jesus said in His own words, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends (JOHN 15:13).
He made a way where there was no way by taking our place on a cross. Despite our sin, He loves us regardless. Jesus is the example to follow.
In answer to a question, “Jesus said, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.””
Matthew 22:37-40 NKJV
Love is more than an emotion or a feeling, it is a decision and an action. To love your neighbor, as yourself, is to care about your neighbor as you care about yourself.
When you are hungry, you eat. Therefore, if your neighbor is hungry and does not have the provision, and you have the means, care enough to give that person food without any hidden agenda or expectation of anything in return.
Furthermore, Jesus said, ““You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
Matthew 5:43-45 NKJV
In this present time of global crisis, we believers need to live the example of Christ, being a light to the world, shining for Christ.
The time has come for us all to put into practice Jesus great commandments. To selflessly love one another and help one another and encourage one another.
As we face the day to day struggles of this dark world, we have opportunity to reach out into the streets and communities to the lost and broken and tell them about Jesus.
But having said all this, giving must be by the leading of the Holy Spirit, for a fool and his money are quickly parted.
Furthermore, giving is not limited to physical food and money; Jesus said, “But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”
Matthew 10:6-8 NKJV
The most valuable thing you can give anyone is the Good News, the truth of Jesus Christ.
My beloved, if only everyone could put into practice these two great commandments of love, this world would soon become a better place to live.
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
