Cheerful Giver

The sermon at church this week was based on the 8th commandment, do not steal. Most of us are not thieves, but this still applies to so many of us, including myself. This is because when we do not give God what he has declared his, we are stealing from Him. This applies to holding back from sharing our finances, our hearts, obeying His word, etc. When we follow the Scripture and give it all to Him and trust Him, is when we are following this commandment with our whole heart.

In the last few weeks, I have felt called to live a more simple life. I struggle with filling my life with material possessions instead of filling myself with more of Him. The Lord doesn’t say we aren’t supposed to have nice things, but that we aren’t supposed to hold them above giving to Him.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

We want to give more to spread His word all over the place, the more we give, the more invested we become. If our treasure is in giving and tithing, our heart will follow. The more and more we let go of our desires for worldly possessions, the more cheerfully we are able to give.

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7.