Because of the internet and technology I don’t have to make a phone call or wait on snail mail to know my bank account balance or the transactions made. I can look hourly if I so choose. In fact, because of all the “hacking” and “identity theft”…I for sure look daily. Watching the ebb and flow of my bank account is something I do so that I can be a watchful steward of what I have, but I also have to remind myself that I am just a steward. You see, even though that bank account is in my name and I am in charge, I have to daily remind myself that God is the owner of all that I have.
I love how David was inspired to write about God’s ownership of all in Psalms 50:10-12, “For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine and ALL THAT IS IN IT” (emphasis added).
It reminds me that God does not need my money but He owns my money and I am just the “steward of it!” I was just reading through 2 Chronicles. In this book we find that Solomon rebuilt the temple and dedicated it to the Lord. He gave/sacrificed 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats to the Lord in gratitude and obedience. Wow! There are examples all over Scripture telling of people who were committed to the Lord and what they did with their gifts, not just money, but their talents as well.
Just reading about Solomon reminds me of the “gift of wisdom” he had been given. In fact, that is the only request he made of God. He wanted wisdom. God granted him wisdom and many other great things followed. When Solomon gave his possessions, it was out of a heart of “gratitude.” I am reminded today that God doesn’t need my money but out of a “heart of gratitude” for all that God has done…is where my giving should come from. We cannot ever “out-give” God.
Point of post: giving back to God is an act of worship, not just of obedience. It should come from a sincere heart of gratitude.
Scripture says that “God loves a cheerful giver!” 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” I don’t know about you but I want to be found faithful in God’s eyes. I know His love is unconditional. In fact, God is the only one capable of “unconditional love,” but wow! do I want to do what HE LOVES! It is a great thing to be a “CHEERFUL GIVER” on a daily basis. It’s not just about money but about our time as well.
“You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.” ~Amy Carmichael