A Heart to Give

Do you have a heart for giving? The Bible is full of examples of people who gave unselfishly to bless the Lord and His people.

The people of Israel gave so much to the building of the temple that they had to turn away people's offerings! The widow woman gave her last to the prophet of God and was blessed to have food throughout a famine. Hannah gave up her own son to the Lord as thanksgiving for her answered prayer. A woman gave her last copper coins to the temple and was noticed by Jesus. The early church gave all their belongings to the benefit of the entire body so that no one had any lack.

Nowadays, people tend to shy away from giving. We ignore the beggars on the street. When the preacher starts talking about giving in church, we get uncomfortable and half listen. We set up our own "boundaries" of what we will or won't give to others. Our times of "service" or "volunteering" are more about padding our own resumes or making ourselves look good rather than giving back to those in need.

We serve a God who definitely leads by example. He gave Adam a paradise to live in and have dominion over when He first created the world. He gave us His word to follow so that we could live blessed lives. He gave His only Son so that we could be reconciled to Him. He sent His Holy Spirit to comfort us and guide us in all things.

We have been given so much! The least we could do is pay it forward and give to someone else as well. God loves cheerful givers! He loves them because they look just like Him!

Take some inventory of your own heart. Do you love to give? Are you giving out of love or duty? Do you give grudgingly or freely? Do you look just like your Father in the area of giving?

If you find yourself lacking, ask the Lord to transform your heart. Ask Him to break away stinginess and selfishness. Ask the Lord to expand your love for others to where you want to give.

And then give. Practice today and give to somebody just because. When you give, you look like your Heavenly Father. When you give, you make Him proud.

Verse of the Day: Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7