JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Cheerful Giving.
When appealing for financial support for Christians in need, the Apostle Paul said to the church in Corinth.
“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.”
Paul was not telling them to send a certain amount of money. He was giving them the liberty to give lavishly. There is something that enriches our heart when we give with a cheerful attitude. It is not the obligation that we have to give, but the opportunity that we get to give. Giving out of a sense of delight in the Lord is a sustainable way to excel in the grace of giving.
Cheerful Giving is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Second 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.”
The Apostle Paul was appealing for generous gifts to help other Christians in need. But he was not appealing to their sense of obligation. Rather, he was appealing to their sense of generosity to give what they wanted to give. If I am forced to give, I am giving out of duty. If I give voluntarily, I am giving out of delight.
In verse 8, he said, “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
It is refreshing to know when our offerings to God are building up the church and helping people in need. The Gospel inspires us to consider the needs of others, and to honor God with our wealth.
Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of generous and cheerful giving in the Year of Vision.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “What is tithing, and what does the Bible say about it?”
Tithing is introduced in the Old Testament where the Israelites were instructed to bring ten percent of their income to the Lord in offerings.
In Malachi 3, the LORD compared failure to bring the whole tithe into the storehouse as an act of robbing Him. Jesus confirmed the value of tithing in Matthew 23, verse 23, but noted that there were more important matters of the law such as justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Jesus rebuked the teachers of the law for neglecting these more important matters of the law.
This is a good focus for us today, not to neglect the practice of tithing, but also to remember that there is more to following Christ than giving our ten percent.
The emphasis in the New Testament goes beyond numbers to the condition of the heart. Second Corinthians 9:7 says, “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.”
In this way, our tithes and generous gifts for the sake of God’s kingdom become fragrant offerings to God in the Year of Exploration.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
