A Cheerful Giver

2 Corinthians 9:7  Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not regretfully or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 

In Latin class, we memorized a bunch of short sentences, including: Hilarem datorem diligit Deus. God loves a cheerful giver.            

That sentence still rolls around in my mind, especially when discussions of generosity come up. I ask myself, “Do I give cheerfully?”  

Honestly, Greg and I made the decision to give monthly through our online bank bill-pay system long enough ago that I don’t think about our giving that often. The money comes out of the bank before I even have time to realize it’s there. So I don’t miss it—but that means I sometimes miss the opportunity to “give cheerfully.”  

There seems to be a conundrum when it comes to scheduled giving. We encourage people to “set it and forget it,” to use a recurring system that will automatically give every week or month so that you don’t have to think about it.  

But… When I give to God, I want to think about it. I want to take the time to gratefully remember that the gifts I’m giving actually came from God in the first place. I want to feel the type of joy we experience when we share gifts with a loved one: This is for you, because I love you. This gift symbolizes how much you mean to me, and I’m excited for you to have it. 

That’s how I want to think about my gifts to our church and to other organizations that carry out Jesus’ work.  

On Sunday, Rev. Jessica Brendler Naulty encouraged us to reflect on what motivates our giving. As you do, you’re invited to also consider how you feel when you give back to God. Is it how you want to feel?  

Prayer
Lord God, you are generous, gracious, and loving. Thank you for the abundant life you have given me. As I reflect on my attitude about giving, guide my heart, I pray. Amen.