Giving: Joyful Gifts

Now I say this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows generously will also reap generously. Each one must do just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; as it is written:

“He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor,
His righteousness endures forever.”

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.

1 Corinthians 9:6-11 (NASB)

Opposing grudging gifts are joyful gifts: enthusiastic expressions of love by do-everything-possible givers… without reservation or strings attached. 

They’re not just about money or presents. Perhaps even more significantly, they’re into acts of service and sacrifice.

Extravagant giving pushes beyond what is normal, hoped for, or expected. Some of us know people who LIVE TO GIVE, but they’re uncommon (like precious gemstones:)

We might call their giving “impractical”, but our Father’s exceeding abundance is exceedingly beyond “practical”.

Consider more impractical givers, like…

  • Firemen running into burning buildings: risking their lives with every run forward.

  • Single parents working beyond measure: giving their children better than they had.

  • Poor people sharing from their poverty: helping those with less, whose need is greater.

  • Jesus hanging on a Cross for our sins: opening the door of Heaven for us!

Like actors, models and talent for Christ, missionaries! You bring God's shining Face to the “pulpits” of modern media.

You throw practicality to the winds, giving to fans in wondrous abandon: demonstrating to the church and the world an all-too-easily forgotten truth:

Glorious and extravagant giving yields glorious and extravagant blessings. God does it and His Word promises it. Where does joy come in? Joy is giving’s proof and its consequnce.

Giving: Joyful Gifts (Part 8)

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

Carey Arban