Giving

We all know about giving to the Lord.  It can be done in lots of ways.  Some are the money that we give to the Lord's church, we can give our time, of our things.  Jesus even gave His life (Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28).  No matter the method we are using to give, "...God loveth a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)  God wants the sacrifices and offerings we make to be free will offerings.  When we are grudging, it ruins it.  Without the love in our attitude, our giving is meaningless (1 Corinthians 13).

It's the same thing with our children.  They have chores and tasks they are expected to complete.  But we want them to do it with a good attitude and willingly.  If they grumble and complain, it's ruined.  The grumbling and complaining removes the beauty of their sacrifice.

In Matthew 10 Jesus sent out the 12 apostles.  He was giving them their instructions.  The last part of verse 8 applies to us as well "...freely ye have received, freely give."  God has given to us bountifully!  Think of all the things we have that we take for granted every day.  Some things we never even think about until they're gone.  Even our friendships are a gift from God.  It's God's good pleasure to give to us extravagantly (Luke 12:32 - Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.).  He's sure not giving grudgingly!  O.k. I'm getting off the topic.

Luke 6:30 talks of giving to all who ask (Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.).  But then it goes on to say in verse 32 (For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.) that you're doing this because you love them.  It's not something you do grudgingly.  It's not something you go and brag about ot your friends.  See the reward listed in verse 38 (Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.).  God's not after a sacrifice we check off our list, or he would have accepted the Pharisee in Luke 18:11-12.

This is just my thought here, but I've often thought this might be why God doesn't tell us to tithe in the New Testament.  I'm not saying tithing is wrong.  It can be a very good idea.  But we're not bound to tithe as the Old Law bound tithing.  See 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 again.  We are to think about it in our heart.  Give from our heart, not from a list and not so we can complain, but cheerfully.  We are to give.  There's no doubt about it.  God just wants us to watch our attitudes and give with a glad heart and willingly.  It's the difference between getting someone a gift because you kow it's expected and getting a gift for someone because you love them and really want to find the right gift and are excited to give it.

Imagine this:  A little girl has been playing outside on a warm and sunny morning.  She runs inside all breathless and excited.  Her cheeks are positively pink with pleasure.  "Look, look!  I got them just for you!"  At this proclomation, she lets her skirt tail down and proudly displays her treasure - a whole big bunch of dandelions.  Then she proceeds to empty her pockets too.  Those dandelions are the most beautiful boquet a mother or grandmother could hope for!  Every one was picked with love and excitement and joy.  The kitchen is so much brighter now, and the table is full of cups that have been transformed into vases.  There is no way you can see them and NOT smile!

Let your giving be like this.  This pure, uncomplicated, worry-free giving.  It will be hard not to do it with a hop and a skip in your step.  But maybe you shouldn't stifle the urge...