Thursday 4 August 2005

Wilful giving

“Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.” - Exodus 25v2

When God called Moses back up to the mountain the first thing He did was to instruct him to call for an offering from the people. Included in this request was a list of all the materials needed to build the tabernacle.

However, God set some conditions on the giving. He said that gives willingly with heart should bring the offering. From the very start of giving to God’s work He has wanted it to be done from the heart. God does not want forced giving. If the heart is not right, then we are better off just not giving. God maintained the same standard in the New Testament when he said in 2 Corinthians 9v7 – “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

We talk a lot about tithing and giving to missions. Giving is right and proper and God is honoured by it. However, God truly wants giving which is done out of a cheerful heart, one that gives because it wants to give.

Everyone enjoys giving to one they really care about. If we are giving out of a grudging spirit than we do not love God out of our hearts. When we give, let us do so with a willing and cheerful heart.

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