Give Right!

Give Right!

Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving]. 2 Corinthians 9:7 AMPC

Context and Charge:

Paul speaks here to the church in Corinth, and as is his usual practice, he encourages them of the benefits and blessings of giving. For Paul, in another book, the one he wrote to the church in Philippi, he had told them he had learnt the secret of being content at all times, whether well-fed or hungry. He knew the value of possession, but he also knew the value of giving out. Paul was himself a giver too, who was always quick to share all he had. That has to be the same heart all of us must have, which is one that gives without holding back, because we know who we are serving. This is the truth that has to be laid out so clearly: giving is first settled in the heart, and the value is always secondary. Who is qualified to determine the value of a gift, if not the one to whom it is given? In God's case, he is both the original owner of all things, and then He is the One to whom all things return. 

If I will give the right way, I have to seek His view on what is appropriate and adequate. My heart must seek after God first, before it seeks to present anything to God. This must have been what Cain neglected to do, but which Abel fully understood, and it is not a surprise that God accepted both Abel and his offering, while rejecting both Cain and his offering. The heart is the place where both hypocrisy and sincerity are nurtured and then made manifest. I can make claims to anything, but God who made the heart knows all its hidden motives, and He is able to reveal the deep secrets of a man's heart to him, so he can make amends. Why would I willingly deceive myself, claiming I am giving cheerfully, when there is bitterness in my heart, or I just want to show off?  How's my heart before God today? Is it settled in the clear understanding that all I am and have belong to God, and that, at best, I am a trustee of all that I hold now?

Conviction and Conclusion:

God loves a cheerful giver. The state of cheer is first an internal condition of the heart, before the fact of giving is considered. That order is important; by the world's standard, a tennis racquet in my hand may not be worth anything, but in the hands of the world no 1 in tennis, it is indeed valuable. That player would give all that is in the heart, and you find the evidence of the contents of the heart in the display on the court. The heart behind the hands really does matter. Don't do it because other people are doing it; they may have their own convictions or other selfish motives. Don't copy another man's actions simply because they look good; do what you have been convinced is right, so that no matter what men say, your heart is settled and at peace. If your heart is in it, you won't need to be compelled or cajoled. God's time of favour is here .