Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Judges 19-21
     New Testament Reading: 2 Corinthians 9

The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart – not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).

Jesus promised, 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 back to you (Luke 6:38).This good measure He gives back to us is not always money or material goods, but it is always worth far more than we gave. Giving is not to be something we do, but something we are. Giving is the way of life for a Christian who understands the grace of God.

Our giving is to be decided ahead of time. The planning is to originate from within our heart, not from any external pressure or coercion, possibly accompanied by legalism. Believers are not to give based on the demands of others, or according to any arbitrary standards or set amounts.

Our giving must come from the heart, and the motive in the heart must please God. We must not give reluctantly or grudgingly as one who must, but give as one who cheerfully shares what we have because we have experienced the grace of God. God loves a cheerful giver (v9).God has a unique, special love for those who are happily committed to generous giving. God loves a heart that is enthusiastically thrilled with the pleasure of giving.

Imagine for a moment that a man gives his wife a birthday gift, and the wife responds, “Oh how beautiful. You are so wonderful that you would give me such a nice gift.” What would you think if the man said, “Don’t mention it. Today is your birthday and as your husband, it is my duty to give you a gift.”

How much different it would be if he said, “You are welcome. There is nothing I’d rather do than give you gifts because I love you so much. There is no one on earth I rather spend time with and do things for than you.”

It is the same gift. But one is motivated by duty, the other motivated by love. And the motive makes all the difference!

In the same way, God wants you to give not as a formality or an obligation, but as the overflow of your love for Him.

There are 4 Types of Giving:
   Grudge Giving – I have to
   Guilt Giving – I ought to
   Duty Giving – I need to, I’m obligated to
   Thanks Giving – I want to

What is the motive behind your giving? Paul said our giving is to be an overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God (v12b). Certainly, God can and does bless a gift that is given out of a sense of duty, but God cannot bless the giver unless their heart is right. When giving is cheerfully and thankfully given, God blesses the giver as well as the gift, and the giver becomes a blessing to others.