GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER
2 Corinthians 9:7
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
It had been a lot of years since I had taken a buck at our Michigan deer camp. Not because I didn't have the chance, it was because I was always thinking that the next person coming might enjoy it more. As this year's hunt approached my family strongly encouraged me to get out and take a buck. I said I would, and decided to take a rifle that a great friend had given me.
I had been looking for a Mauser action to have converted into a custom rifle by another good friend, who had been telling me for years that he wanted to build me a rifle. It all came together and Nov 15th found me sitting in a deer stand with my custom rifle. I was successful that day and harvested a nice 8 point buck. This was a series of giving opportunities that made it possible.
In 1863 it was President Lincoln that pronounced the "day of Thanksgiving" that we celebrate today. Several years ago someone came up with the idea that if we were thankful on that Thursday of Thanksgiving, then on the following Tuesday we should express that thankfulness on Giving Tuesday.
The Bible has many passages about giving and receiving. Several scriptures speak of the rewards received when we've given freely.
Proverbs 3:9-10 is one example.
"Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine."
I believe that those that give freely, are the happiest people. They have an awareness of the fact that all they have is from God and they offer it to Him and His work. God blesses those that give out of a generous heart. We might not be blessed with huge financial gain, it might be in the joy that we have or peace or any number of other blessings.
This past Thursday we gave thanks for every blessing that God has given us... today let's show it by giving to God, to His workers, by giving to others. Cheerful giving needs to be a daily thing... start today.
Happy Giving Tuesday
Help achieve the mission - GIVE today
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