How to Give (This Matter of Giving)

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2 Corinthians 9:7 (NET) Each one of you should give just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver.

Nicholas was around when the youth pastor was counseling Tessy on the matter of giving, at a point he couldn’t help but butt in. “I’m sorry sir”, he said, “But I can’t help but wonder, is this not too much? I mean, if I give to all the people you have mentioned, what will I have left? My income is limited, and I still have bills to pay?” The pastor responded:

Well, if you will just allow me to finish, you see, the Bible not only tells us whom and to what we can give to, it also lays out for us how we can give and I will attempt to lay them out for you as briefly as I can.

Plan Your Giving: Don’t be an impulsive giver, that rarely comes from a place of thoughtfulness and deep convictions, it mostly comes from emotions and whipped up sentiments. Remember our text says ‘…just as he has decided in his heart’. So, learn to sit down and plan what you will be giving, to what and to whom.

Give According to Ability: ‘… to finish what you started, so that just as you wanted to do it eagerly, you can also complete it according to your means. 12 For if the eagerness is present, the gift itself is acceptable according to whatever one has, not according to what he does not have’ (2 Corinthians 8:11-12 NET). Enough said.

Give Bountifully and with Simplicity: The Bible teaches us in 2 Cor 9:6 to give generously. Be as generous as you can in your giving, remembering that it is God who supplies the eater with bread and the sower with seed. Also, giving the Bible way is giving with simplicity. Don’t be flamboyant in your giving; don’t make a scene, it just glorifies you and not God.

Give Willingly & cheerfully: God wants our giving to come from our heart. Exo 25:2 “Tell the Israelites to take an offering for me; from every person motivated by a willing heart you are to receive my offering” (NET). Your heart is very important in whatever we do to and for God. It’s better not to give at all than to give grudgingly, however, it is best to give from a willing and cheerful heart (2 Cor 9:7)

Give Sacrificially: In all of this, never forget that there is a place for giving sacrificially, God notices our sacrifice when we give sacrificially. Jesus made special mention of the widow who gave all she had, her giving didn’t look like much on face value, but before God it was great (Mark 12:41-44). Also, Bro Paul commended the Macedonians of whom he said, “For I testify, they gave according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily” (2 Cor 8:3 NET).

Go into today determined to give bountifully as the Lord gives you the ability.
Prayer: Lord, help me to give acceptably and walk in the attendant blessings.
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