Willing Giving

"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver."

2 Corinthians 9:7

There is no one more generous and giving than the almighty God who created mankind, for He has given us everything we have and enjoy.  Without us asking God has given us life, and having given us His only begotten Son Jesus we have freely received from Him all that pertains to life and godliness.  God has demonstrated His love for all people through Jesus, and He also loves a cheerful giver.  God loves when people give willingly and cheerfully like He does.  Knowing God loves a cheerful giver encourages us to align our practices to walk in His ways.  The Bible Knowledge Commentary says, "God prizes not the size of the gift (cf. Acts 11:29; 1 Cor. 16:2), but the giver’s sincerity (not reluctantly), spontaneity (not under compulsion), and joyful willingness (a cheerful giver)."

In the Old Testament we see occasions where God's people were moved to give to His work, specifically with building the tabernacle and temple.  After Moses spoke to the people concerning the needs for building the tabernacle according to God's design, people brought freewill offerings on a daily basis.  A point came when their generosity was so abundant the people needed to be restrained from giving by a proclamation by Moses, for as Exodus 36:7 says, "...the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done--indeed too much."  When David was king of Israel, he told the people his plans to prepare for the building of the temple in Jerusalem.  He asked the people in 1 Chronicles 29:5:  "...Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the LORD?"  In giving gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, marble and precious stones, people gave themselves willingly for the work of the LORD.

What I love about David's interaction with the people was his presentation of a clear opportunity to meet needs to prepare for the building of the temple.  David did not lure the people to give by telling them they would financially benefit or reap some blessing:  they already had been blessed and provided for abundantly by God.  David did not threaten them, accuse them of greed, or suggest God's work could not continue without their assistance.  There was no guilt-trip placed on the people for their prosperity that hung in the balance or made it a competition among themselves to motivate giving.  There were not a set goal of goods to be received from the people before the project was committed to.  People were not placed in categories or tiers to receive honour from men for the monetary value of their gifts.  David set a personal example by giving himself, and then he exhorted the people to give unto the LORD.  The passage tells us God's people rose to the occasion.

1 Chronicles 29:6 & 9 says, "Then the leaders of the fathers' houses, leaders of the tribes of Israel, the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the officers over the king's work, offered willingly...⁹ Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered willingly, because with a loyal heart they had offered willingly to the LORD; and King David also rejoiced greatly."  The people gave willingly to the king for the work of the house of the LORD, and King David also rejoiced to see people unite in giving with a loyal, perfect heart.  In contrast to misers who are pained and disgruntled to part with a fraction of what they possess, God's people rejoiced to voluntarily contribute generously to God who blessed them.  Though he does not have as much as the rich, a relatively poor man can give with the generosity of a king--as if he has much more in reserve, can draw upon the wealth of nations, count on profits from foreign trade and daily abundance--because his wealth is in God.

Sincerity, willingness, generosity and spontaneity in giving is demonstrated by Araunah when David asked to purchase his threshing floor.  2 Samuel 24:22-23 says in KJV, "And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood. ²³ All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God accept thee."  Araunah was generous to freely provide valuable oxen and equipment to be roasted in the flames and required nothing in return--and gave a blessing as well!  David refused to offer to God what cost him nothing, so he purchased the threshing floor and oxen.  Both king and subject gave unto the LORD gladly, having been blessed by God continually.  How amazing it is God gives His people the capacity to give with a perfect, willing and cheerful heart unto Him.

When people look at giving to God as an investment, there is no question there is hope of a return of some kind.  People put money in the bank they hope to receive back again--with interest.  Giving to God in this manner is not freely giving as it is with an eye to gain.  To give willingly to God and His work is a sound investment when our hearts are cheerful, not because of what we stand to receive, but as a response to how good God is and all He has already given us.  Giving to God's work in supporting a local church and Christian ministry is viewed by some as optional at best and a drudgery at worst when it is an opportunity to live out our faith in a way God loves.  Paul says we ought not to give because we must but because we can, and may we purpose in our hearts to give to God cheerfully as we receive good things from Him.