DAILY VITAMIN
- Giving Willingly
"For if the Willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have." (2 Corinthians 8:12 NIV)
God calls on us to give not because He depends on our gift offerings; remember He owns it all (Psalm 50:3-13); He does so to bless us. And according to our theme verse, He accepts only that which is given Willingly. Those who give cheerfully, not forcefully.
In Exodus 35, He called on the people to give, but only of those who were willing. And willingness doesn't care about conditions, it still gives. In 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, we are told of the Macedonian church and how in spite of their deep poverty still gave liberally.
In Exodus 36, we see the people of Israel and how they gave over sufficiently to the work of God in spite of being in the wilderness. So if you ever thought not having enough was a good enough reason not to give, they proved you wrong. Because a willing heart has no mind for abundance or lack, it remains liberal in its generosity forever. And here's the beautiful part: Even though God has many promises for the cheerful giver, they gave without expecting anything in return having recognized all He does freely give, because the contrast would be trading not true giving--a bargain and not a show of affection. They gave out of their devotion to Him, their love for Him, and it is His will at all times, and He blessed them for it.
Do the same and He'd bless you just the same.
