2 Corinthians 8 10-12: "And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have."
2 Corinthians 9: 6-7: "Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
For also, the Bible says, "It is better to give than to receive". But how can we give, when our heart is not set into it? I think God would rather you give in a generous, willing manner. Not to do so because you "feel you have to" yet you don't want to. Our hearts should be set into it.
I still have to work on giving in the way that I actually want to, but I do find it exciting, and it does make me feel good, to give.
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Good stuff, Amber,
ReplyDeleteLast week's Torah portion began the story of the building of the mishkan in the sanctuary. And the first command was to take gifts from everyone whose heart so moved him.
The making of the sanctuary was begun with gifts from those who had willing hearts. So too in our lives, we build our sanctuaries for God with a willing heart. What gifts? Whatever we choose to glorify His name with. It can be through song, through dance, through music, through prayer, through words, through acts of kindness, through study, anything and everything we have at our disposal we ought to bring to Him. He gave us our talents, we use them to glorify Him.
You're absolutely right, Leo. :)
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