God loves a cheerful giver
Many people have used this scripture to brainwash people into financing their religious organization and to their shame they have done this.
The Bible is very clear on giving for it is written,” 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2nd Corinthians 9:7
Giving is determined by what is in your heart. If you are very wealthy and look to gain attention to yourself then you will give from your abundance making sure that everyone knows of your giving for it is written, “1Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2 Therefore when thou do your alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” Matthew 6:1-2
There is no reward for going through the motions concerning giving for it is written, “.43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything, even all she had to live on.” Mark 12:43-44
A true child of God that is wealthy does his giving in secret for it is written, “57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: 58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. 59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.” Matthew 27:57-60
The Giving of God is not based on giving money to a church but to those that are in need for it is written, “30 Give to every man that ask of thee; and of him that takes away thy goods ask them not again. 31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” Luke 6:30-31
Notice that the true giving of God does not require repayment of what you have receive for it is written, “35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Luke 6:35-36
Jesus did not ask people to come and work off the giving that he gave them for it is written, “2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: 3 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.” Mark 8:2-3
Jesus feed them and did not ask them to pay it back but rather went on to another city to see whom he might help next for it is written, “ 8 So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. 9 And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away. 10 And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.” Mark 8:8-10 Giving is part of being a child of God we are to give ourselves solely unto God as well as to others for it is written, “1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2
We are to give of our time and resources all for the glory of God for it is written, “27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27
Jesus gave of his time, money, and self to the care of others and he did not need the approval of a man made church or organization to do it for it is written, “21 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. 22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, 23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lie at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. 24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.” Mark 5:21-24
Peter and John did not have any money but they gave of the Spirit of God for it is written, “1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; 3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. 4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 6Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Acts 3:1-6
Are you helping those that are truly in need or do you pass them by on your way to the church for it is written, “30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spend more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, think thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.” Luke 10:30-37
Are you giving according to God or are you following the direction of your religious organization for it is written,” 5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.?” Matthew 10:5-8
Whether you believe that your giving is to be done through a church or not do it with the right heart, because if it is not truly in your heart to give, it will not benefit you with God because “God loves a cheerful giver.”
Brothers and sisters love one another and love everyone else also.
Until next time I love you
Minister Lamar F. Porter
Most High God Ministries
5/19/2012
