Everyone should give whatever they have decided in their heart. They shouldn’t give with hesitation or because of pressure. God loves a cheerful giver.                 
2 Corinthians 9:7

I think I know why God loves a cheerful giver.  It is because that is what God is; the very essence of the heart of God’s love is generosity.  Many of the parables of Jesus are about generous giving.  The prodigal son in Luke 15 is about an extravagantly generous father.  The parable of the great banquet (Luke 14) and the laborers in the vineyard (Matthew 20) are stories of extreme generosity.

God is generous and giving.  I am fairly certain God does not have a bank account.  Everything is freely given and grace, mercy, and forgiveness flow freely.  God does not need Quickbooks.

Money is a human invention to facilitate commerce.  Money is a good tool and serves its purpose.  However, as a human tool it can also be abused and lead to greed and ego.  Money not used correctly can get in the way of our generosity and humility.

I believe God loves a cheerful giver because it means we are becoming more like Jesus.  This is the work of discipleship, to become more like Jesus.  It does my heart good to give money to the mission of the church.  It does my heart good to be generous toward others.  Don’t you feel better when you get to be generous?

God is a generous giver!  The Bible from beginning to end is the love story of God giving and blessing humanity, you and me.  God enjoys seeing us cheerful and full of joy and that happens in the generous act of giving. 

Cheerfully,

Pastor Rafe