Attitude in Giving

If you are a believer you have probably heard that God loves a cheerful giver.  The Word of God says this in 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written:

‘He has dispersed abroad,

He has given to the poor;

His righteousness endures forever.’

Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

Paul was encouraging the Corinthian believers to give graciously with a happy and cheerful heart not grudgingly or out of necessity, not because they had to or were pressured into it but cheerfully because they wanted to.  Paul is also talking about the principal of reaping and sowing in this passage.  This is where the rubber meets the road; so to speak, this shows how much you love money and possessions or what your priorities are.  Sometimes people may not have faith enough to believe that God will provide for them if they sow abundantly which will show in their giving.  One thing I think about giving is the attitude you have when you give.

Paul speaks plainly about this is verse 7, “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”

When we give to the work of God, He will provide more so that we can continue to give, if we are willing to use our resources to further the kingdom of God.  This same principal applies when giving our tithes and offerings.

Read what it says in Malachi 3:7-12:

“’Yet from the days of your fathers

You have gone away from My ordinances

And have not kept them.

Return to Me, and I will return to you,’

Says the Lord of hosts.

‘But you said,

‘In what way shall we return?’

‘Will a man rob God?

Yet you have robbed Me!

But you say,

‘In what way have we robbed You?’

In tithes and offerings.

You are cursed with a curse,

For you have robbed Me,

Even this whole nation.

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,

That there may be food in My house,

And try Me now in this,’

Says the Lord of hosts,

‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven

And pour out for you such blessing

That there will not be room enough to receive it.

‘And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,

So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,

Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,’

Says the Lord of hosts;

‘And all nations will call you blessed,

For you will be a delightful land,’

Says the Lord of hosts.”

Malachi encouraged the people to give to God what was His and stop neglecting their duty.  The tithing system started in Moses’ day, you can check it out in Leviticus 27:30-34, “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord. If a man wants at all to redeem any of his tithes, he shall add one-fifth to it. And concerning the tithe of the herd or the flock, of whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the Lord. He shall not inquire whether it is good or bad, nor shall he exchange it; and if he exchanges it at all, then both it and the one exchanged for it shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.’”

These are the commandments which the Lord commanded Moses for the children of Israel on Mount Sinai.”

Deuteronomy 14:22, “You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year.”  

In those days, the Levites used some of the tithes because they could not possess land of their own.  In Malachi’s day the Levites went to work to earn a living, neglecting their responsibilities caring for the Temple and worship because the people weren’t paying their tithes.  Think of it this way everything we have belongs to God so we should be willing to give a portion back to Him willingly.  God could take all of your money if He wanted but He is a gracious and merciful God.  If we believers aren’t willing to give to the work of God, we rob God.  

Are you willing to give at least ten percent of what God has provided for you to further His kingdom?  If you are reluctant, try it for a short time and see what happens, God says to prove Him in this.  Something to think about, have a super day and may the good Lord bless you and yours!!  PS don’t forget to thank and praise the Lord!!