Issue 18 - Day 7

2 Corinthians 9

2 Corinthians 9:6-8
6)  But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7)  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8)  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Paul clearly knows the basics of investment. the bigger the investment the larger the return. We almost make verse seven into an excuse for our lack of generosity however. I can’t give more than this, we say, because I am happy giving this much. I am a cheerful giver. If I gave more I would not be cheerful about it so I won’t do it. God won’t like it.

When spelt our like this it is revealed as what it is. A feeble excuse based on a misinterpretation of scripture. In the context of this chapter, these people were generous. They did give in abundance, Paul just wanted them to do so now in the same way as they had done a year ago. This is where the grudging giving comes in. Each year we all make faith promises for missions. Each year we see the same pattern in giving. The first couple of months the promised amount is given, and sometimes over and above. By halfway through the year the giving levels have dropped 50%, and by the end of the year it is barely enough to make half of the promise averaged over the year. What was decided in our hearts with a true love of God a year ago, has become a millstone that we have to continue a year later. The problem is not in the giving, but in our attitude. What changed over the year? God didn’t so why do we?
Ask him to give you the same desire to serve him all year round. Pray that nothing would become a necessity, but that all would be done to his glory.