God loveth a cheerful giver. Does that mean God does not love those that do not give cheerfully? No, I don't think so. But I do feel God has a special love for those who do give cheerfully.
1. Same word is found in Hebrews 12:6
2. we get excited about other things:
a. ball games
b. doing things because you enjoy them
1) do you enjoy the time of offering?
2) 1 Corinthians 3:13
c. if you are doing what God wants you to do, you're enjoying it. If you are not obedient, you cannot enjoy it.
d. If you are not excited, do not quit giving. Same as husband and wife, you stay faithful until you do enjoy it.
3. Yes, it's possible to get excited about your giving. You can enjoy every penny you give to the cause of Christ.
4. Let me give you 3 thoughts concerning cheerful giving.
I. What Prevents Cheerful Giving?
1. 2 Corinthians 9:7; not grudgingly (sadness, grief, heaviness, sorrow)
a. Means: one who gives, but not willingly.
b. He gives but does not like to. Like a henpecked husband.
c. like asking someone to help. they do it but act like it is killing them. (kids)
d. but God has a special love for those who give cheerfully.
2. Not out of necessity. or because you have to (constraint, distress)
a. there's a law that supersedes all other laws in the Bible. It's called love. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
b. in our Christian lives we do not do things because of law. We do them because of grace.
c. Do I have to be baptized? No, but if you are going to please God you must.
d. The same is true with our giving.
e. If you are a person that gives exactly 10% usually that person does not give out of a heart of love.
3. Another thing that keeps us from giving cheerfully is giving emotionally.
a. When we let our emotions control our giving.
b. If I were to present a need tonight you get stirred emotionally and pledged to give $1000. You borrow the money; each time you make a payment you hate yourself. Not giving cheerfully.
4. Another thing that keeps us from giving cheerfully, is giving to be recognized. Acts 5:1-11
a. Praise God we do not have this, I don't think so.
b. Most of our givers are just the opposite.
5. Another form of not giving cheerfully is giving what you can afford. giving from your resources and not God's resources.
a. feeding of the 5000. Matthew 14:15-18
b. it is great to see God supply our needs. Both as a church and as individuals.
c. If we just give to God what we can afford, we will never see the power of God working in our lives.
6. God does not drop the money out of heaven, but he can give raises, or give the means available for you to have it.
a. The missionaries
b. building fund
c. many other projects
II. What Promotes Cheerful Giving?
1. 2 Corinthians 9:8; realize God will take care of all your needs, God is able, in all things.
a. Romans 4:19-21; Ephesians 3:20
b. If a wealthy man were to guarantee your income if you tithed, you would give. God is greater than all.
c. Why are children so happy? They have enough faith in their parents to supply all their needs.
2. In every area of our life, all God wants is for us to trust Him in everything.
a. If we don’t learn to be happy as poor folks. Most of us will be unhappy all our life.
3. Another thought is, I must make the decision to be joyful.
a. Vs. 7; purposed in his heart.
b. Proverbs 23:7
4. Joyfulness; Acts 20:35
a. I think the Lord Jesus should know more about this than any other person.
b. More blessed to give; sometimes its hard to receive.
III. The Product of Cheerful Giving
1. The Lord is honored and glorified in this kind of giving. Proverbs 3:9-10; Leviticus 27:30
2. Our faith is increased, in God taking care of our needs. In every area.
3. Our church is strengthened and blessed.
4. Our families are being trained and blessed.
a. Greatest thing you can do is to teach your family to tithe.
b. Then will God take care of them and you will not have to.
5. We are proven to be good stewards and not God robbers.
a. Hard to be around a thief even with small things.
b. If a man will steal from God, he will steal from anyone.
6. The end product is God blessings upon your life. Home, business. Mark 10:27-31
