Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving] (2 Corinthians 9:7).
A giver is not someone who gave, but one who has made giving his lifestyle; someone who gives liberally, regardless of what he has. A giver never has to be convinced to give because it's his nature to do so. Ecclesiastes 11:6 says "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good." This scripture is a revelation by which the giver lives. He never appears in God's house empty-handed; he is prompt to give and always seeks to outgive his past.
This lifestyle of giving is what we've been called to as Christians. You should always be excited and quick to respond whenever there's an opportunity for you to give. In 2 Corinthians 9:6, we're admonished to give much when it comes to the Lord: "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." Now notice the scripture didn't say "Those who earn more should sow more whilst those who earn little should sow little."
You must understand that your giving is determined by your revelation of God's Word and not on the amount of money you receive. The Bible says where the Spirit of the Lord is, there's liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17). That means you're at liberty to give joyfully and as bountifully as you choose. If Jesus could sit at the temple to observe what people gave as offerings (Mark 12:41-44), it lets you know how important giving is to God. He's still observing and blessing us today for the way and manner we give to Him.
Take up the lifestyle of a giver. Don't give sparingly, but lavishly and extravagantly to God, knowing that you can never out-give Him. He "...is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation]" (2 Corinthians 9:8 AMP).
PRAYER
Blessed Father, thank you for blessing me with all material wealth, such that I'm self-sufficient, possessing enough to help and support others, and most of all, furnished in abundance for the furtherance of the Gospel. I refuse to let opportunities pass me by, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Rhapsody of Realities September 29, 2011
-Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
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