Giving just feels good. Google it … and you will see that all the research about giving and generosity points to all sorts of physical and mental health benefits. Article after article will tell you what scripture made clear thousands of years ago – giving just feels good.
But despite the pop-culture, scientific, and scriptural evidence … the world still tries to teach us different. The world says get all you can, can all you get, and sit on the can! The world teaches us that we are to use all of our skills and ability to acquire as much as we possibly can for ourselves … then store it away - safe from anyone who might want some - and hide it.
The proof is in the pudding – it is why so many people who hoard everything they can, live in such a blissful state of happiness. They have perfect children, perfect marriages, never get down, and the sun is always … oh wait, that is not true at all!
So getting all you can, canning all you get, and sitting on the can is NOT the answer to feeling good.
Instead, Paul writes this:
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7
God loves a cheerful giver! One who gives happily. One who does not give because they have to or with a sense of regret … but rather one gives because it feels good!
How could this be? How could giving what we have ever feel good?
Simple. We can give when we know that there is more where it came from. We can give when we know that He who has supplied our gift will give us more.
Over 165 times in scripture, it is taught that God will provide for us. 165 times! When we believe that God will provide for us, we can give because we know that more will be given! We do not give to get; we give to be a blessing because God blesses us!
So here is the challenge – do not just read this … but rather do this. Acknowledge that God is your provider. Thank Him for being the giver of everything you need, and give something away, cheerfully, this week. If ten days later, you regret it and wish you had not given it – I will buy you lunch.
-Pastor Brian