Articles
The Heart of Giving
“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2Corinthians 9:6).
Just like today, there were financial needs in the first century church. In 1Cor 16:1-2 and 2Cor 9:5-15, Paul offers the church in Corinth both sensible and ethical instructions on how to meet their financial commitments.
The heart of giving is Practical. Paul had told multiple churches in Galatia – and was now writing the same to Corinth – they should lay aside funds on the first day of each week. (1Cor 16:1-2) How prudent! Save some each week. When the need for money becomes imminent and urgent you won’t be scrambling around trying to make ends meet.
The heart of giving is Purposeful. Paul says a Christian should give “as he has purposed in his heart” (2Cor 9:7). Do you have a budget? One is hard-pressed to give purposefully from each paycheck without some sort of a budget? A budget is simply a record of how we are deciding to use our money. Since it is the Lord’s work that is being funded, our purposing should express an offering of our first and best by being the top of our budgets.
The heart of giving is Liberal. Paul praised churches who gave generously out of the poverty. They gave beyond their means, even begging Paul to let them contribute. (2Cor 8:1-5) Liberality in giving does not equate with quantity. Remember that our Lord said he preferred the gift from the widow who gave her last penny to the wealthy who gave much but not sacrificially. (Luke 21:1-4)
The heart of giving is Cheerful. God loves a cheerful giver. (2Cor 9:7)
The heart of giving is Trustful. God asks us to trust Him when we give, believing that He “will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way.” (1Cor 9:10-11) The only question is: do I believe it.
The heart of giving is Thankful. It is God who gave first. It is He in whom we live, move and have our very being. (Acts 17:28) God is the giver of every good and perfect gift, up to and including the salvation of our souls by the sacrifice of His son, Jesus the Christ. Paul concludes his text on giving 2Cor 9 with, “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”
If you’ve been thinking about excelling still more in your giving, start here: “They gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.” (2Cor 8:5) “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Heb 13:16) You’ll be blessed.
