"Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" 2 Cor 9:7
Who among us does not love to receive? We look forward to occasions to receive, established in part, for this reason. Valentine's Day, Mother's, Father's and Grandparent's days are all relatively recent inventions designed with recognizing and receiving in mind. Do you remember what it felt like to not receive on on of these occasions or a birthday or anniversary?
Let me ask you another question: Do you think God likes to receive? Of course what does God need that any of us have? The psalmist has quoted God in saying, "For every beast of the forest is Mine, The cattle on a thousand hills. "I know every bird of the mountains, And everything that moves in the field is Mine. "If I were hungry I would not tell you, For the world is Mine, and all it contains. Ps 50:10-12 What could we feeble humans offer Him that He does not already have?
The answer comes in the form of another question: "Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, 'How have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings." Mal 3:8
You see beloved, God has no need where we are concerned, but He does have desires. He desires our love. He desires our obedience. He desires our praise, honor and glory. And He desires our care for one another. Malachai reveals that tithes and offering are to be brought into the storehouse that His house may be filled. Whom do you think are the recipients of His full house? God says, "test Me now in this," says the Lord of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows." Mal 3:10
When we receive on gift giving occasions, that is typically the end of the story. When God receives from us, however, we receive right back from Him. Make no mistake, our goal in giving to God should not be just another means to receive, but instead, a happy by-product. We give out of gratitude, praise and honor and He returns out of a love we could not possibly understand.
Perhaps that is why we should be cheerful.
In Revival,
Lee
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