“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV

or as the New Living Translation words it:

“You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

Some time ago, Bob had brought in the mail after getting home from work. He walked out to where I was and briefly glanced at each envelope, reading out loud.

“I want your money.” Toss on the table top. “I need your money.” Toss. “I got your money.” Toss. “When’s somebody going to send us some money?” was his disgusted question before he trudged upstairs to change out of his work clothes.

I sighed. I like to give but, sadly, at times I have given because I was moved in my emotions to do so. In those times I usually later regretted giving the amount I gave or giving at all.

I have given reluctantly, thinking, It’s a good cause. Why should I feel resistant about it? That was not the time or place to give either.

Sometimes giving opportunities come unexpectedly, but the opening scripture kind of sounds like more often than not, we know in advance. Thereby, we have the luxury of time to ask for an amount, purpose in our hearts, and give cheerfully. I like those times the best.

Life is full of opportunities to give. And giving is an opportunity. To give is to have our heavenly Father’s nature. I cringe to say it this way, but I’m going to: To give is to get. For quite some time now I have given compliments to strangers. For instance, I was in the post office several years ago and I took notice of the woman waiting on me. I hesitated a little, contemplating our age of sexual anything and everything and what I wanted to say to her; I did not want to be misunderstood. But I felt strongly to tell her what was on my heart.

“I know this might sound strange, especially this day and age, and I’m not trying to be weird about this, but I just want to tell you that you are a very pretty woman.”

It didn’t feel weird. She smiled. “Thank you.”

Not long ago Beth and I were in a small store with a return/exchange. The young woman there was helpful. In fact, it was the same girl I had quizzed once about nail polish. She walked with me to the display and pointed out what she had used, what customers seemed to purchase the most, and what seemed like a good product for the price. Our transaction with her on this day was also a smooth and happy one.

“I just want to tell you,” I said, “you are so helpful and pleasant. I really appreciate that you are pleasant.”

She seemed a little taken aback but continued to smile. “Just doing my job.”

“Not everybody does their job,” I quipped, smiling in return.

After so many years of passing out compliments, I noticed several years ago that strangers were beginning to compliment me. If we are faithful to sow, we will reap.

Yes, I know the scripture pertains to money in particular; many, many scriptures pertain to money, but we can give all sorts of things. It was Jesus Himself who said,

“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

“Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

“Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

“When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

“Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:34-50 KJV

Food, drink, clothes, shelter, visits — even a kind word waters parched souls, and all of these things are rewarded.

I had just recently solicited help from people Mum had ministered to because she and Dad have found themselves in a rough spot. I drafted the request and sat on it for quite some time because I didn’t want to sound like a beggar, nor did I want to embarrass them. I reasoned within myself that they themselves have always given, even when times were tough. And Mum, being a minister, has been a servant worthy of her hire. When their bank account was hacked, and they had to shut down their coal furnace, (main heat source), and had only a little heating oil during one of our longest, coldest snaps, I decided to send the text — without their knowing.

I had wrestled with it before and questioned it after … until the LORD gave me this scripture:

“Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.” Philippians 4:14

And I also thought of this scripture:

“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” Proverbs 19:17 KJV

I like this in the NIV:

“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,
and he will reward them for what they have done.”

If you strive to be a purposeful, cheerful giver as I have, then I have a blessing to pronounce upon us based on Matthew 5:7. If you have not been a giver, won’t you consider joining me?

“Blessed are we, the merciful, the kind, the compassionate, the sympathetic and sensitive, for we will obtain mercy. May we receive the same tenderness that we have displayed and receive back 100 fold of what we have given.”

Thank you for spending time here with me. I pray your time is multiplied back to you and that you have been blessed by today’s post. I truly hope you soon receive dividends on the good seeds that you have sown. (We’ll pray crop failure on the rest 🙂 ).

May God richly bless you.

In closing, a scripture and a song:

“May the Lord give you increase more and more,
You and your children.
May you be blessed by the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 115:14-15 NKJV