In our effort to learn about giving, today we will talk about How to give?
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
When we understand the nature of God, one of His attributes is self-emptying. In the Kingdom, God wants us to have a lifestyle where we give lavishly because He gives lavishly.
Verse 7 says God loves a cheerful giver. Because when we give cheerfully, it pleases His heart because we are walking in His nature. That’s why Paul says, give cheerfully and not out of compulsion.
I believe we are called to be prosperous but understand the meaning of Kingdom prosperity. Prosperity is not in the amount of wealth that you acquire but is the amount that you are able to give. Don’t hoard - Prosperity is not hoarding but giving.
In Exodus 16 God provided manna to the Israelites as their food. But they were supposed to collect what they could eat and not store or hoard. Even if they would, it would rot off. God was teaching the Israelites to trust in Him for the provision, every day. So they were specifically asked not to hoard.
Don’t hoard, can we trust in Him for our daily provisions. That’s why in the prayer we ask, give us our daily bread.
Excerpt from the Sermon Notes of Bro. Samuel V Thomas - Sunday 17th July 2018, Crossway.
Stanley Thomas Isac
Stanley is serving as the Pastor of Crossway Church in New Delhi, he can be reached at stanleytisac@gmail.com
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