Cheerful Givers

Read: Luke 8:3, 21:1-4

It takes all of us to further the work of God in this world.  Our gifts, our talents, our callings, and the cheerful giving of financial support.  We all know the saying, “It is better to give than receive” but do we give with an attitude that truly reflects that saying?  I ran across a devotional this week from David Jeremiah that touches on this concept of being cheerful givers…

“Have you ever wondered how Jesus’ ministry was financed in the Gospels?  He had left his carpenter’s work, and His twelve disciples had left their fishing careers and other jobs.  They had families to feed and the expenses that come with life and ministry on the road.  But God raised up some wealthy women – Mary Magdalene; Joanna, who was the wife of a high political official; Susanna; and many others.  Luke points to them as the financial underwriters of the Lord’s ministry (Luke 8:1-3).

God blesses some people with enough wealth to underwrite great causes and become sponsors of major ministry initiatives.  But it’s not only the well-to-do who have the gift of giving.  Luke also noticed how Jesus commended the poor widow who put her two copper coins into the offering (Luke 21:1-4).  Her gift was a greater sacrifice than the others in the temple that day.  One of the disciplines of godliness is giving.  Whether we are wealthy, poor, or somewhere in the middle, we’re responsible to be methodical, steady, cheerful givers to the Lord’s work.”

Make it Personal:  The words in this devotional encourage us to look at our own pattern of giving and sowing into the Lord’s work.  Are we doing our part?  Are we giving with a cheerful heart?  Are we using what God has blessed us with to sow seeds in the world for His Kingdom and to see others come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ?  Let’s all agree to be cheerful givers!

Have a great week,  Glen Rhodes


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