Living His Word

2 Chronicles 9:6-8 ERV: Remember this: The one who plants few seeds will have a small harvest. But the one who plants a lot will have a big harvest. Each one of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give. You should not give if it makes you unhappy or if you feel forced to give. God loves those who are happy to give. And God can give you more blessings than you need, and you will always have plenty of everything. You will have enough to give to every good work.

The Christian church cannot sustain, maintain, and expand the Kingdom of Jesus Christ without the donations of its members and supporters. Unlike families, whose parents earn its sustenance; unlike businesses, which sell for a profit; and unlike nations, which tax its citizens; the church is dependent upon the good will of its members and supporters. This simple fact needs to be emphasized because there can be a lot of resentment about giving.

Perhaps the resentment that surrounds giving is the reason why God promises in our verses for today that those who support the efforts of the church will receive “more blessings than you need” and thus will have “plenty left over to share with others.”It’s hard to be a blessing when you’re broke.

Furthermore, God promises here that there is proportionality at work in our giving. Like the farmer, if you plant a lot, you will have a big harvest. It could be said that God incentivizes support for the church. One does not have to fear for their financial wellbeing when giving.

As with most everything else in the Christian life, motivation and attitude are everything when it comes to giving. We shouldn’t give if it makes us unhappy or if we feel forced to give. God doesn’t just want our money; He wants our hearts as well.

The Prophet Malachi quotes God as saying that “Good things will come to you like rain falling from the sky” when we give (Malachi 3:10). Maybe today should be the day you find this out for yourself.