THE EXCELLENCE OF GIVING WITH JOY
Heavenly Father, You are so good to me, You gave Your Life to redeem my sins. Oh Lord, give me the opportunity to give to others as well. Sometimes I think about giving, but my faith is so weak, I'm still afraid that if I give, I will be in want. Forgive me, Lord. In the name of the Lord Jesus I pray, Amen.
"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" (2 Corinthians 9:7).
What we have now, although humanly we have struggled and worked hard to get it, we need to remember that all of it is a gift from God, that's why we shouldn't waste it carelessly. But that doesn't mean we should be stingy or miserly. God teaches us to be generous in giving, just as Jesus always gave, even willing to die on the cross giving His life to redeem our sins. Those who give willingly and joyfully will receive special appreciation from others and our God, because we rarely hear of people who receive gifts getting appreciation, that is the advantage of those who like to give. Someone can give a lot because they indeed have a lot of wealth, but because they are forced to, the meaning becomes bland; but on the contrary, someone who can only give a little because they are indeed poor, but gives it with full joy, then their giving becomes an added value in itself.
Giving doesn't always have to be in the form of material things, although we realize material things are very important. We can give time, give attention, give help, give advice, input, thoughts, ideas and so on. As long as we give it with joy, willingly and all for the glory of His name. It turns out that the Apostle Paul knew the condition of the hearts of those who give, that's why he felt the need to give this advice.
Father in Heaven, thank you for this beautiful opportunity, I may learn that it turns out You first gave Your Life to us, that's why I as Your child who has been saved have no reason not to give to others. I long to make this habit of my life by giving with full joy. In the name of the Lord Jesus I pray, Amen. (SS)