One year during spring-cleaning, my family and I decided to carefully go through our belongings and pull out the items that were no longer useful for us—the items that we had outgrown or lost interest in. We ended up with boxes of gently used items. Then we decided to give all of these items away. We remembered the blessings of receiving these types of items when our children were younger, so it was a very pleasant experience to be the givers—the ones to bless others.
We carefully laid out the items on tables and made it available for people of all ages to pick out the items they wanted. We had grandparents excited to find the book their grandchildren were wanting, moms excited to find clothes for the child who was starting to grow into the next size, and children thrilled to get a new toy. We had a great time giving all of these items away. What made it so fun? Our attitude toward giving—we gave with cheerful hearts. We had absolutely no hesitation about what we were doing. We knew we were not being compelled to give, nor would we regret giving anything away. We also had confidence that as we gave, we would receive. We knew God would bless us back, because God loves a cheerful giver.
II Corinthians 9:6,7:
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
When we give, God wants the heart to be right, because then the giving will bless both the giver and the receiver. Let’s read II Corinthians 9:7 in The Amplified Bible:
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].
The best example I know of a giver “whose heart is in his giving” is God. Just look at the world He created for us to enjoy—beautiful sandy beaches with the pleasant crash of the ocean waves; majestic mountains backed with a crystal blue sky; gardens filled with colorful, vibrant flowers giving pleasant odors; food with a variety of textures, smells, and flavors; and peaceful, clear night skies filled with twinkling stars. He also freely gives the gift of holy spirit to those who believe unto salvation (Romans 10:9,10).
When we really think of all God has given so freely to us, the natural response is to give to Him. Malachi 3:10 and 11 show us how we can give to God.
Malachi 3:10,11:
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.
God wants us to prove Him by giving of our tithes. What does He want us to prove? That He is going to pour out a blessing so great that there will not even be room enough for us to receive it. Opening the windows of heaven and pouring out a blessing is big giving on God’s part. Then rebuking the devourer is even greater giving. Now that is a good financial partnership! We give with a cheerful heart—our attitude toward giving—and God blesses us back.
When we choose to line up our thinking and actions with the Word and give with the right attitude—a cheerful heart—we will be blessed. We can have a cheerful heart when we give our tithes to God. God will bless our giving by opening the windows of heaven and pouring out a blessing.
As we sow bountifully by giving joyously—sharing of our abundance and giving tithes to God—our Almighty God blesses us back. He loves a cheerful giver!
To learn more about tithing, enjoy these articles:
Giving to God—The Tithe
Why Tithe and Why Abundantly Share?