Christian Giving; Conditions

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

Often times in giving, it is so easy to fall into legalism and it takes away the heart from the gift. Today, I write to you few things the Bible mentions and considers important as you give. Not all of it, Just few, as I cannot write everything.

Now let me state that these things are not some form of law God expects you to follow when you want to give. They are more like the things that make it clear that your giving must be by grace and not flesh and self.

First, I’d like you to say a short word of prayer before we continue.

“Lord Jesus, as I study today, I ask from my heart the grace to give… From the Macedonian Church, I learnt that it is you that gives that grace. Give it to me today. Amen”

From the opening scripture above, you can already see the conditions or expectations following an acceptable act of giving… Pay attention… I said act not heart… The conditions are the heart, the giving is the act. It mentions deliberate commitment and not an emotional surge it mentions cheerfulness, that is gladness of heart and not under pressure. Maybe you should know that the cheerfulness of heart cannot be feigned. It’s either there or not. It is not stirred up by the special song the choir will sing as you drop your offering. No amount of “Thank you” brings it on you. It cannot be put on. Rather it is like water that springs out of the ground.

Now, a scripture that will help us mention step by step some conditions, (which will answer some questions in your heart) although not all but few is Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

So let’s begin

1. “Give a portion to seven, and also to eight…”

There is no exact number of people you can help or give to. Even when you think you have given perfectly (seven), if there is another person to be given to, give!!! As long as you have, give to all that ask of you. The Thessalonians were encouraged never to get tired of doing good.

Now you’re saying “Rowland, you don’t understand, I have not had a dime from the allowance I received and I have the last change left“. Listen, it may be hard but my advice is as long as there is an eight, “Give it!!”. Some will say “Oh c’mon!!! You’re taking it overboard, even The Bible says love your neighbor as yourself not more than yourself”. Listen to me, the spirit behind that statement is selfish. Let me explain in a short sentence what it means to “love as yourself“. It means to put others first as you would naturally put yourself first.

So my Friend, give to the seventh, yes, even to the eighth and may grace be made available to you as you have a willing heart to give. Amen… Turn then to God for your own needs for He, himself provideth seed to the sower and bread for the eater.

2. “He that observeth the wind shall not sow…“

Many people want to wait until they have enough to satisfy themselves before they share. If you do that, you will never give. Listen, giving is not in abundance of wealth, it is in abundance of grace. You know, I was in this trap, always waiting for when I had enough and I realized I never had enough no matter how much I had. Let me tell you about those people who wait to have enough, when they eventually have enough, their giving is not acceptable because it is not out of love.

I learnt this in a strange way, let me share the story.

I realized each time I went out to get something (most times a bar of chocolate) and I remembered that someone will probably be with me when I’ll be eating my chocolate and might want some of it, I’d go ahead and buy two bars of chocolate.

“Wow!!! That’s so nice of you, Rowland!! ”

No, that’s not nice!! God didn’t think it was nice. That’s the tricky part about giving but thank God for the Holy Spirit who works in us daily. I got two bars of chocolate because I didn’t want to share mine. Do you see that. That is so unacceptable. I didn’t love, I just didn’t want anyone all up in my “chocolate space”.

The Macedonians were commended in 2 Corinthians 8:2 for giving in their extreme poverty and, listen to me, they gave bountifully. Paul said they even gave more than their means. I don’t know how that happened but I need that grace. What about you?

3. “If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth…“

I’ll make this one short. My previous point may be interpreted to mean that when you have much, give little so that it doesn’t look like you’re giving out of your abundance. Well, No! that’s not what it means. You see, the grace expresses itself “through the size of your barn”. The clouds cannot be full of rain and it only drizzles a few drops, No, the Bible says they empty themselves upon the earth. You see, it is acceptable according to what a man has. Don’t forget though, the heart must be full also.

4. “and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.”

It is good to give to the church towards the work of the Lord but listen to me, if you have hungry people, needy people around you, give to them! Give your love, your time, your resources to them, give them the gospel of Jesus. This is something many have neglected. If a tree falls in a place, it remains there. Look around you and may God open your eyes to see those in need around you. Listen to this also, they don’t have to be on the streets. Don’t just focus on money alone. A popular shibboleth rightly goes thus “Charity begins at home”.

5. “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand…“

I love this part of Ecclesiastes so much (I hope it’s not just emotional) it feels like grace is poured into my heart when I read it. I’ve already explained in this line. Not getting tired of doing well and doing it in the time of abundance and in the time of lack. You see it’s so easy to give when you have more than enough but when it is few, you withdraw your “hand of giving”. A part in the scripture strikes always and that’s when Jesus literally said (and also meant it) that if you have only two shirts and another has none, give him one of yours…. Take a pause, take a deep breath and just imagine it, then you’ll know that giving is indeed a grace and you’ve got to pray… Brethren in the time of lack, in the evening time, do not withhold your hand.

Now at this point, I’ll continue next week. I wouldn’t want this to be too long, so you don’t just read it but study it.

Would you like to take some time to pray? Ask the Lord to really teach you to give and to pour His grace to give on you and not just to give for a week or two but continuing and not wavering. Amen.

Thank you for joining me today. I believe you were blessed.

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God bless you.

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