2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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A WILLING HEART (III)
TUESDAY, APRIL 13
Exodus 40:33-38
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
“…he which soweth bountifully shall
reap also bountifully.”
A WILLING HEART (III)
A willing heart is rewarded. The Israelites gave willingly to the building of the Tabernacle: those who were gifted to work on the construction, worked; those enabled to give material, gave. All these willing hands were rewarded ‒ not by a multiplication of their material wealth, but by God’s acceptance of their offering. The cloud of God’s glory filled the Tabernacle, and His presence was with them throughout their journeys (Exod 40:38).
So also in our time, the reward of a willing heart does not lie in material wealth! There are those today who promote so-called Christian wealth plans, promising that what is given to God will be multiplied and returned to the giver. These are but thinly-veiled schemes exploiting our natural sinful tendency toward covetousness and greed. The reward of a willing heart is simply that God is pleased with such a heart ‒ indeed, this was the motivation used by the apostle Paul in his exhortation to the Corinthian church (cf. 2 Cor 9:7).
If we are to obtain this reward, our giving must not be a cover for covetousness. Nor can it be grudging (the phrase used in 2 Cor 9:7 is, literally, “not out of sorrow”), as if our hearts are grieved to part with these possessions of ours. Nor can it be “of necessity,” forced by peer pressure or public opinion or some other such consideration. Rather, we are to bring our offerings willingly to God, motivated by a desire to please Him.
Dear reader, is it not enough to know that such cheerful giving pleases God? What more do we need as a motivation than the good pleasure of our gracious heavenly Father who has given so much for us, and to us? Is it not enough of a reward for us to look forward to hearing those wonderful words from the lips of our Master, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matt 25:21)? Let us each then fulfil the role of a good steward ‒ not chasing after personal gain or grudgingly doing the bare minimum that God requires ‒ but cheerfully applying all the time, talents, and resources that God has given us to the furtherance of His work and His kingdom.
THOUGHT: “God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor 9:7)
PRAYER: Father, give me a willing heart to serve Thee with my all!