Being and Becoming Delightful Givers

Consider the scenario. A new church down the street is being built to serve the poorest of poor in an inner city environment. Funds are coming from various churches so that they might partner in this ministry. Skilled workmen and craftsmen are donating their time to the work of completion.

Suddenly, in the middle of the work, there is so much “delightful” giving coming in that there is overflow! MORE than is needed! God tells his leaders to tell the people to stop giving! We have enough to build the church! Does that happen today? I am, of course, referring to the story Moses leading God’s people in the building of the Sanctuary of God, (Exodus 36). The people of God were so excited to give of what they had, in an orderly planned way, that there was more than they needed. Wow!

Now we read one of the best stewardship “sermons” from Paul to the Corinthians (and to us) that tell us HOW to give…in a well thought out, planned, no arm twisting, no panic, no sob stories way. “God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.” We delight when we know God leads us to give, helps us to decide what to give so we can enter into a partnership with Him in His work! God owns it all. God can make His work happen without us. BUT, He chose to give us delight in giving back what He has given to us in ways that give us a chance to enter into His work with worship and delight. Wow!, there is so much here to grasp! Read on…see what YOU think.

2 Corinthians 9, The Message
1-2 If I wrote any more on this relief offering for the poor Christians, I’d be repeating myself. I know you’re on board and ready to go. I’ve been bragging about you all through Macedonia province, telling them, “Achaia province has been ready to go on this since last year.” Your enthusiasm by now has spread to most of them.

3-5 Now I’m sending the brothers to make sure you’re ready, as I said you would be, so my bragging won’t turn out to be just so much hot air. If some Macedonians and I happened to drop in on you and found you weren’t prepared, we’d all be pretty red-faced—you and us—for acting so sure of ourselves. So to make sure there will be no slipup, I’ve recruited these brothers as an advance team to get you and your promised offering all ready before I get there. I want you to have all the time you need to make this offering in your own way. I don’t want anything forced or hurried at the last minute.

6-7 Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.

8-11 God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,

He throws caution to the winds,
giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
His right-living, right-giving ways
never run out, never wear out.

This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.

12-15 Carrying out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the bare needs of poor Christians. It also produces abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God. This relief offering is a prod to live at your very best, showing your gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the plain meaning of the Message of Christ. You show your gratitude through your generous offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and really toward everyone. Meanwhile, moved by the extravagance of God in your lives, they’ll respond by praying for you in passionate intercession for whatever you need. Thank God for this gift, his gift. No language can praise it enough!

What do we learn? A ton!
–God loves delightful givers with right heart motivations.
–We give because we want to join others in God’s work.
–We give from a grateful heart for all that God has done for us.
–We are blessed and blessed to give to others.
–Giving is praise and worship to the God who gives extravagantly!
–Our enthusiasm for giving is contagious!
–Giving is living at God’s best! “Well-formed, robust lives!”
–Giving, done in a planned, orderly way, without guilt, produces greater results. We “think it through” so our giving is with a pure, well-informed, honest, way. (It’s a heart condition.)

Whew, there is much more here if we go deeper, still. But for now, let’s meditate on this sermon that excites us to be more passionate and enthusiastic in our giving. Do you pray God’s best for your church when you put your check in the offering plate? I do. It forces my heart, mind and soul to give of what God has given me…delightfully.

Dear Heavenly Father, Your very word delights me this morning. I love the way you motivate your people to give back to You even though we can never out give You! Thank you for this act of worship and praise to You. Guide us, still. Help us all to be the best stewards possible with all that You have given to us.
In Jesus Name, Amen