WinterDelight

2 Corinthians 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Me: “God, I am a cheerful giver!  Really I am.  I tithe every week and I put in the offering at special events, in Sunday School, food to the local food pantry, and even give my time to teach and help others.  I do it all with a smile and never regret doing it.”
God: “Yes, but do you give out of faith that My Plan is in motion?  Do you trust me?”
Me: “Yes God, I trust you.  It is John that I cannot trust.  He goes from the bar to the soup kitchen every morning and then back to the bar.  I just requested that what I give does not go to John, because he is wasting it.”
God: “Do you trust me?”

Oh what cheerfulness I have some days.  I put stipulations on what God can and cannot do with my money, my time, my college degree, my body, and my gifts.  I know what is best.  I can see who is wasting time and then at the last minute asking for my help.  If they could just manage time like I do, then they would not have this problem.  I know who works for a living and who just mooches.  I know that person over there does not even try to eat right or exercise.  I know best, becuase I am … wait, am I not making an idol of my own self?  I seem to be focused on My and if I would give to that person who does not live up to my standards, then maybe I am a cheerful selective giver.  I need to find out more about that verse.

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!

Again, God asks me, “Do you trust me?”  Do I?  Well, that is a tough question, because I want to and well I also trust myself.  God asks, “Do you trust me?  Is not my grace sufficient?”  Great God, whip out the Grace question again, sorry.  I find that His grace is sufficient and really I need to model that grace to others.  In my past that I cannot trust myself.  I have made mistakes and, well, I guess I am still not perfect.  God is great and knows more than I do, maybe I can trust Him and give without stipulations.  Give freely and trust that God knows what he is doing.

We all still have limited resources, well I do, so I need to decide where to share my money and time.  I can do this through prayer and devotion and not with my eyes or ears.  The gifts, money, and time I have is not mine, but a gift from God.  It is not even the indescribable Gift that matters the most.  That indescribable Gift comes in the form of his Son who has given His life freely to me, even though I continue to fall short of His great glory.

Now I need to work on giving to Caesar what is Caesar’s.