“Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. ”
God expects each of us to make up our own mind about how much and to whom we give. Don’t be guilty of feeling forced to contribute when you know all you will do is feel regret later because you gave out of a sense of duty. God loves the giving of one who gives gladly. You see, God delights in a person whose heart is in their giving.
The Message Bible says: “I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.”
When you give with a right heart, you will feel so full and completed by the act of your openhandedness. Some give and then feel that their hard earned money is gone. A cheerful giver doesn’t focus on the gift.
A cheerful giver is one who is joyous, and prompt to follow inner impressions of the heart, focusing on obedience to those impressions. Be a cheerful giver and you won’t have any regrets.
I give cheerfully. I determine what and when to give based on my heart impressions.
- Reading Plan A: 1 Thessalonians 2
- Reading Plan B: Psalms 115-116
- Reading Plan C: Isaiah 53-55; 1 Thessalonians 2
by Tim Davidson
Excerpt permission granted by
Word of Faith Church & Outreach Center
Called to the Body of Christ as a pastor and teacher, Tim Davidson pioneered Word of Faith Church in Bismarck in 1980. He served as its Lead Pastor for 35 years and now serves as Founding Pastor. Pastor Tim has pioneered 6 churches in North Dakota and now serves as Regional Director for Rhema Ministerial Association International. Teaching believers foundational truths from God's Word is his passion.
He has authored 3 yearly devotion books that are used both here and overseas to help believers become "rooted and grounded" in their faith.
God is now calling Pastor Tim to share the treasury of wisdom and knowledge God has given to him with other pastors and churches.