“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Each one must give 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 abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-9 ESV

Everybody loves talking about money, even more than that, we love talking about how each of us should use the money we have been given in a way that honors God. Sermons on giving are the most popular ones throughout the year, and congregants are always sending notes to the preacher asking him to talk even more about money and finances, giving and generosity, right? Right?

No. Money is a major contender in the hearts of most people for the place of first priority. It is an idol to beat out most idols and a worry that consumes many, weakening them in their service and willingness to walk with Christ. There is a greater sense of possession and a desire to control our money than most any other resource we have been given apart from our homes, which we must use that money to continue to possess and maintain. We place trust in money. We are Moore comfortable when our bank accounts have more in them, and we are more anxious and consumed with fear and/or worry when they begin to run low.

So, when Jesus or Paul or anyone else talks about money and generosity, there is a tendency to look at what they are saying as more of a suggestion rather than as a command or as an imperative. We will speak of moral issues with certainty, but of money with a half hearted sense of commitment. We will give most anything, but don’t ask us to give too much of our money.

And so again, Paul’s address to the church in Corinth, masterfully handled through the Spirit, is an encouragement to glorify God and build up others, both those who will receive the offering and those who will be encouraged to generosity through the giving of others. When we give cheerfully, the state of our hearts reflect God’s when He gives. When we give like we’re being robbed at gunpoint, no one is glorified and hearts are hardened and our own attitudes only worsen.

And if we are honest with God and with ourselves, we are only able to be generous because He has been generous with us first. Our witness to His generosity stands through the generosity we show in turn. How we show love to others is reflected in the generosity we show and the openness we exhibit from all the corners of our hearts. So GoLove God and others with a cheerful, giving heart. It encourages us to open up more, to be more generous and to have a deeper understanding of His great love and generosity. A heart that mirrors the generosity of God is a heart that draws more and more people to Him.