God loves a cheerful giver. We won’t reap what God wants us to if we don’t sow from a heart of love, gratitude, and thanksgiving – not because we feel we have to give something.
II Corinthians 9:6-7 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
There are mainly two kinds of people: givers and takers. Jesus said if we give, it will be given back. God wants us to be givers: in the things of God, in our attitude, and in our demeanor. There’s never been a time when we’ve given to the Lord that he hasn’t given back to us, but it’s according to our giving.
Luke 6:38 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.
Givers are focused on others, takers are focused just on themselves. Givers ask how can I contribute, takers ask what’s in it for me. Givers give energy, takers take energy. Givers are grateful, takers are greedy. No one in Acts 2 was stingy. They sold their things willingly to give to others and they didn’t suffer for it. They were breaking bread daily.
Acts 2:41-47 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added…three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them…as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat…with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
The disciples were so glad for what God had done, how they were saved, received the Holy Spirit and were sanctified. They were willing to do whatever God wanted, for everyone to be blessed, and to help as many people as that they could. Givers are engaged people, takers are entitled people that are only concerned about their own agenda. Givers serve others, takers use others. Givers are loyal, takers are only loyal to themselves. Givers are happy and fulfilled. Takers tend to be miserable, complaining, unthankful, and grumpy. God doesn’t want us to have that kind of attitude. God wants us to be happy and full of thanks, regardless of the situation around us. Givers are blessed by God, takers don’t think about God much. Givers enjoy life; takers are too busy blaming others for their failures to enjoy life.
Everyone needs to be a cheerful giver. God doesn’t want our money unless we delight in giving it. If we feel like I have to do it because God asks us to give a tithe, we aren’t going to be blessed because we’re not doing it willingly. If we think “well Lord, I’m going to give my hard-earned money to help those who never seem to meet their budget,” we won’t be blessed because of our attitude of the heart. A tithe was required by law at the temple plus an offering to help the poor and needy. God still wants us to give a tithe and an offering. With COVID 19 there have been lots of expenses at church to purchase things needed to have live services on the Internet. God is still supplying the needs of the church and people’s needs by tithes and offerings. We miss a blessing if we don’t give out of a cheerful heart. God promised to abundantly bless if we give from a cheerful heart and love to give. Giving is a delight when we realize we’re giving to God. It isn’t just putting money in the offering plate, but we view it as worship and thanks for what God’s done for us.
The teacher said in the 1960s her family came to the Church of God. They started tithing and giving an offering. They were on a limited income. One month after paying bills, they had $10 left for the month on the 10th day of the month. They prayed for God to help them because they didn’t know how we were going to feed their family with four children. The garage door was open that week and a transmission was on a shelf. A man walking by saw and knocked on the door to see if it worked. He said he’d buy it. The money was used to buy groceries. The next week the insurance company sent a $250 check. Their insurance agent didn’t know why they got a check but said to spend it. God supplied their need!
As Jesus preached in every city and town, three women followed him with the disciples. Jesus healed Mary Magdalene of 7 devils. She was grateful so she wanted to follow. She was from a wealthy family. Joanna the wife of Chuza (Herod’s steward) was healed of a disease. Chuza was wealthy and let Joanna follow and give of her wealth to feed and care for Jesus and the disciples. Jesus didn’t provide miracle meals every day for the disciples or himself. These women ministered and gave their substance freely, cooked, provided clothes and lodging, and were a blessing on the way so Jesus and his disciples could work.
Luke 8:1-3 And…he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings…and the twelve were with him, And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna…ministered unto him of their substance.
The three women were still following Jesus when he died on the cross.
Mark 15:39-41 And when the centurion…saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God. There were also women…afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less…and Salome; (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women…
The disciples were hungry when as they travelled and plucked ears of corn off the stalks to eat.
Luke 6:1-5 And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days? And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him; How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone? And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Tithes and offerings support the church, pay the bills and pastor, and give to congregations in need like those in Cuba.
Malachi 3:8-10 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
David collected offerings to build the temple. The people brought willingly and abundantly. God loves a cheerful giver. David was excited that the people offered willingly too! He knew everything they had was from God.
I Chronicles 29:14-17 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee…O Lord our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.
The rich man was covetous and not willing to give. God doesn’t want us to be covetous but willing givers of our tithes, offering, and our time. He sees if there’s covetousness in our heart and we aren’t willing to give to him. Everything we have belongs to God anyway. Jesus said that he was hungry and you ministered to him (Matthew 25). He was sick and you visited. He was in prison and you visited. Those on the left didn’t do anything to supply the needs of their neighbors and were lost.
Matthew 19:19-22 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
God blesses us when we are saved, sanctified, and give our all. God provides for us like he provided for Elijah by the raven bringing food. When the brook Cherith dried up, God told him to go to Zarephath where a widow would feed him. She willingly gave the last of her meal to make food for Elijah. God made the meal and oil last until the drought was over. God abundantly blessed her and supplied her needs. God wants us to give with compassion and concern for the needy and the lost. That’s why God wants us to be a cheerful giver of tithes and offerings so that God can richly bless us and others.