Digging Deep!

This time of year has been referred to by some as the "giving season." Though we may enjoy exchanging gifts and donating to various charitable organizations, is our giving (whether that be of energy, money, or time) relegated to only one season of the year? Do we not have a God Who gives us precious gifts (both physical and spiritual) every day of our life? One of the best ways to show our appreciation to Him for His generosity is to maintain a generous spirit ourselves.

Someone has said, "Give not from the top of your purse but from the bottom of your heart." [source: list of sentence sermons]

Prior to Israel entering the promised land they were exhorted. . .
"(10) You shall GIVE to him FREELY, and YOUR HEART SHALL NOT BE GRUDGING when you give to him, because for this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. (11) For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, 'You shall OPEN WIDE YOUR HAND to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.'" ( Deuteronomy 15:10-11 ESV)

The open hand was to be connected to an OPEN HEART. Paul referred to the same kind of spirit in giving when he wrote to the church at Corinth.

We read. . .
"(7) 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)

The Greek word translated "reluctantly" (ESV) and "grudgingly" (KJV) comes from "lupe", which signifies pain of body or mind. [source: Vine's Expository Dict. Of N.T. Words] Though it has sometimes been said, "Give until it hurts", this reluctant or grudging pain of the HEART is not what God desires to be associated with our giving. When the giving comes from the depths of the HEART it will be with cheerfulness and joy that we are able to help meet a need.

May our HEART be where the digging begins as we share our life and whatever we might have with those who are in need of such generosity. Giving from the bottom of our HEART will result in thanksgiving to God ( 2 Corinthians 9:11) from the bottom of the hearts of those who receive our gifts of energy, money, and time. Let us continually thank God for the blessings He has graciously supplied and for the opportunities provided to share.

Have a great day LIVING FOR OTHERS TO THANK GOD!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Giving