December is here!
For many, this is the season of giving.
Meaning, this is a time where most people will spend more money for others than on themselves.
Yet, I notice during the holiday season as a culture our view of giving is distorted.
We tend to solely focus on the amount we can financially give before checking our hearts behind why we are giving.
In other words, can we honestly say our giving is a gift?
Now, let me be transparent with you.
I’ve been guilty of this quite often in the past and didn’t realize it until here recently.
The pressure to give due to the season would overwhelm me causing me to give, even my very last!
However, I don’t believe my gifts fully produced the blessings they could have due to my heart of not being in the right place.
I would give simply to express I gave rather than giving because I was joyful to give.
As believers of Christ, giving due to pressure isn’t the right way to give.
Our gifts produce harvests only when we give cheerfully.
To put it differently, when we give small whether in our hearts or tangible gifts we are limiting the potential to create an overflow of blessings.
Okay, okay, you may think I’m simply ranting.
So, let’s take a look at a few scriptures in 2 Corinthians:
Remember this- a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 2 Corinthians 9:6
You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. 2 Corinthians 9:7
And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 2 Corinthians 9:8
Did those scriptures help clear your focus on giving?
They certainly did for me!
And like me, you may be wondering,
How do I know if my heart is right when I give?
It’s simple, before giving ask yourself, “Why am I giving?”
If joy fills you to be a blessing to that homeless person, organization, or ministry, then by all means give!
A heart of a true giver mirrors Christ.
Let me also clarify, there are times as children of God where I believe God puts it on our hearts to give and it may seem uncomfortable.
This is why I also love the scripture found in Philippians 2:13.
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Meaning, even in those times where it may not feel the best to give the more we stay intentional in our relationship with God the more our hearts will develop to be like His, a selfless giver.
For the next two weeks, I’d like to share with you exactly how having a heart of God can look like when one gives cheerfully.
Until then, my prayer is that today’s post not only empowers you, but it encourages you in your faith to cheerfully give during this holiday season.
May every gift you give God provide and increase your resources. May He also produce a great harvest of generosity in you!
And, yes, that too is Bible! 😉
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Giving Nuggets!
Our gifts produce harvests only when we give cheerfully.
A heart of a true giver mirrors Christ.
Writer: Breonna “BG” Gildon
See you next Wednesday, Honey Bunches!
✨…In The Meantime…✨
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