A Willing Gift

2 Corinthians 9:5, 7
I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully." (NLT)

We have been to churches that preach a giving sermon once a year. This is part of an annual pledge drive. Everyone decides once a year how much they will give for the year. When the drive is over, the budget is finalized and weekly envelopes handed out for people to place their offering in.

We have seen baskets passed on Sunday morning to collect the offerings during the service. At other places the members are expected to walk forward to place their offerings at the front while everyone watches. Then there are the few churches that have an offering box at the rear of the church and you just have to know about it and place your offering on your way in or out.

I cannot count how many times, just before the baskets are passed, that I have heard "God loves a cheerful giver". How many take that as meaning you will be cheerful if you give something? In reality it means we are to give cheerfully or not at all. If we do not want to give, we should not give just because it is time to do so. God and our heart must be in it or all we are doing is paying another bill.

Then I have heard the thirty minute mini-sermon on giving. They are well crafted to pressure you into digging deep and giving more than you usually do. It is like the salesman that gives you a deal but you have to decide right now. There is no waiting until you can think about it.

If you do not want to give, don't. In order for our gift to be meaningful to God, it must be a gift pleasurably offered. A gift you are giving willingly because you want to support the ministry that is visiting or that you are visiting. The same goes for the place where you are being fed spiritually. It is there that you give your tithe.