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. 2 Corinthians 9
God’s ability to give us freedom astounds me. In what other arenas do we have a choice on how much we give? We cannot barter with Walmart or Target. Lion’s club and country clubs all have set fees. These places and stores provide us with products or other amenities, but they do not provide us with the love of God and salvation. This is exactly what God does provide. He provides His love and salvation. In return, He only asks that you give cheerfully what your heart demands.
Some reading this may not see the value in this freedom. Sometimes it almost would be easier if God said, “give 2.87 percent of your net grocery expenses every week and I will bless you.” The freedom God gives us to choose how generous we are is another indication of how important we are to Him. The country club and Walmart ultimately do not care about us. They provide a product and expect to be paid. God’s product is not a transaction. God’s product of love and salvation is relational. Think of it this way. When a child asks parents for money to go to a weekend movie with friends the parents do not expect that child to pay them back. The parents may require that certain chores are done, but this is to teach the child responsibility not to reap a benefit from providing them with money. This interaction between parents and son or daughter is a relational one. The parents give out of love for child.
In the same way a parent gives to a child out of love, God expects us to give back to Him out of love. This short verse promotes a relationship with Christ. God doesn’t want our money if we give it because “we have to.” In fact, God doesn’t need our money at all. If God has a plan in mind, He will achieve it regardless of what we do. God just wants to feel our love. He loved us enough to send His son. By sending Jesus, we no longer are required to give a specific amount of money. We have the freedom to give out of love. Are you willing to give to God out of love?