“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38 (NIV)
God loves a cheerful giver. Close fisted, stingy reluctancy among His people He frowns upon. Freely we have received, freely we must give. We impoverish ourselves when we do not give openhandedly. Indeed, God loves a cheerful giver. Also, those to whom much has been given, much is expected. Besides that, we give only what comes from His hand, Amen? What do we have that we did not receive, right? Remember, the gold and the silver are His as well as all the cattle on a thousand hills. We are merely stewards. The world is His and all that is in it. Further, we are held accountable to Him for what He places in our hands. God is the Giver of every good and perfect gift and His desire is for us to be likewise – giving freely without keeping tabs. Freely we have received, freely we are to give. And, BTW, one never outgives God. He so abundantly blesses our obedience with His goodness and grace that it leaves us scratching our heads wondering why we did not give more.
I am reminded of a friend who herself was struggling to buy needed groceries for her family when she noticed another mom shopping who was worse off than herself. Instead of buying her own groceries, my friend purchased the other lady’s groceries, sacrificially, and as in doing so, it meant her family would be without. Driving home she was wondering how in the world she would feed her family that week. When she drove up to her house, she discovered her porch covered with sacks of groceries. Her church had surprised her with a surplus of food. God sees the heart. God always sees the heart. And God also sees the motivation behind the heart’s actions. And He will be no man’s debtor.
Life is too short not to be openhanded with those in need in our spheres of influence. We are not to be so busy that we do not have eyes to see who God places in our paths. And it can most definitely be things besides mere money – an encouraging word, a helping hand, a hug – any act of kindness prompted by the Spirit to be Jesus’ hands and feet and eyes and ears and mouth. That is why we are here – to point others to our Savior. We are the ones who miss the blessing when we are too busy with our own agendas. Remember God does not need us, we get to be a part of the blessing of strengthening and encouraging others when we heed His leading.
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NIV)