Cheerful Giver

[Daily verse and quote]

2 hours ago, Hopefully said:

 

I don’t put verses in categories to me it’s all the word of God.

I love giving to those in need. Remember God says give only if you want to because he wants us to be cheerful about it. If anyone does not want to give they should not give because it would be fruitless.

 I do not give to receive but I can’t help that I do receive anyway. 

Yes, giving just so we can expect God to bless us (monetarily or otherwise) is NOT the right approach.

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."                                                                    2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV)

[Daily verse and quote]

1 hour ago, Chicken coop2 said:

It's interesting what they say about it's better to give than receive.  My entire 20 years of teaching in Korea I gave a fair amount of my pay to various charities. Orphanages were one of my favorites among several.  I felt very good about doing this and don't regret it in spite of being in a serious financial situation now with my life savings being all I have. 

A year ago, after having recovered from Covid19 but left with very serious health problems, I decided to try to get as healthy as possible to try and get a job back here in the USA.  One of my goals was to lose 50 pounds.  I was successful.  In addition to walking as much as possible, I was on a low calorie diet. And, this was much cheaper, naturally, than eating more. The less money you spend on groceries, the less you eat, the more weight you loose. 

Now, however, because I continue to try and spend as little as possible on groceries, I have continued to lose weight.  22 pounds under weight now. 

My neighbor lady said she would help me with getting food stamps and there is a food bank within walking distance to me.

Currently, I still feel that there are many who are in greater need than I am, therefore I am not pursuing these options currently.  Besides,  by not doing these things and leaving more for others, it is my way of giving because currently that is the only way I can give: Give by not taking. 

I have faith that things will work out one way or another. 

 

What a wonderful example of being a "cheerful giver".  When we really think about our own needs, most of the time they pale in comparison to the needs of others that we know. If we look at it this way: Everything we have comes from God. He knows intimately what we need (and don't need). If we just trust in Him, and do our best to follow what He has given us through the Scriptures, then thank Him in advance for His generous provisions in our life.

 

 

[Daily verse and quote]

1 hour ago, Selah7 said:

Amen, @Chicken coop2.  And hey, even a smile and a cheery hello to a lonely person are a way of giving in the Lord’s eyes.  
 

I agree. I believe that giving of money sometimes may not be what someone really needs. Perhaps they need a listening ear to hear about their problems/challenges. So before we reach for our wallet, take time to talk with the person of need, then pray and allow God to determine what course of action you should take.

[BeyondET]

58 minutes ago, Daily verse and quote said:

Have you ever think of "giving" in a broader way? Yes, money is one way, but giving of  your time and talents (without money) can be just as good - or maybe even better -than cash.

 

Indeed, like Peter in Acts 3

6 But Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”

[Daily verse and quote]

50 minutes ago, BeyondET said:

Indeed, like Peter in Acts 3

6 But Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”

Thank you for quoting Acts 3:6. Very appropriate to the topic at hand.

[Sower]

6 hours ago, Ray12614 said:

LOL  I knew you would get a wide response of replies when it concerns giving.

When you start messing with peoples wallets, they instantly get defensive. LOL. And the most defensive are the ones who are 'cheap' towards God, and greedy towards themselves. It is human nature to be stingy. God's plan is for us to give expecting Him to provide for our needs. Sowing and Reaping. (parable of the Sower)

That was a very good, and inspiring post, Ray.
I have found it difficult to share my own personal experiences concerning giving and receiving all blessings, lest someone question my motives. It is true that God works in mysterious ways, his ways are not our ways, and God is light, he cannot lie, and all of his promises are true.
The leanest and meanest years of our growing young family was the greatest years of growth and learning. And blessings showed up from the least likely places, and like you said, just in time. God is faithful. He says who is faithful in little is faithful in much. This applies to all facets of life, of which giving is one.
God's greatest blessings are not about money. Just try to out give God. Good luck!
The greatest gift (ever) I could give is the 'good news' to a stranger.
It's free, cost nothing to talk, yet few share it.
The more you give of your blessings/want, the greater the joy.....
 

[Daily verse and quote]

2 hours ago, Chicken coop2 said:

In Korea practically every child from kindergarten if not preschool through 12th grade take, in addition to their regular English classes in school, English classes in private English Academies (hakwon) or in special children's programs in universities (like I taught in addition to university students). 

However, children in orphanages did not have the advantage of extra classes in addition to school.  Thankfully, very many native speakers of English did volunteer teaching in the orphanages.  It was quite rewarding. 

It sounds like your time spent in Korea was very rewarding personally, as well as beneficial to the orphanage children.

[Sower]

On 6/13/2021 at 1:22 AM, R. Hartono said:

On 6/13/2021 at 12:31 AM, Daily verse and quote said:

God has promised to multiply what we give, so we will have more to give in the future.

Unknown

Which verse ?

God is not fish which can be lured with bigger bait to catch bigger fish.

"God is not fish which can be lured with bigger bait to catch bigger fish"

You're right, Hartono. Because he knows my heart.
And he knows your heart also. This is the key. Why you/I give.
Why do you give at all. Are you happy to give? I feel you are angry with those who do give, because they quote "GOD'S WORD" to back up their statements.
People shouldn't assume because they have seen "prosperity preachers" abusing the word of God for gain, that anyone else quoting the same scriptures have the same motivations. That would` be wrong. I think you know this.
We are not to worry about those deceitful preachers, as God said that the vengeance for them is His.
 

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

So give it away.

On 6/17/2021 at 8:11 PM, R. Hartono said:

Why cant we just donate to help people without expecting any prosperity in return ?

We can.
But just because you have your own idea of how everything should work, you should read the words of God and believe/obey what he wants us to do.
I work six days a week, as does my wife. She is 72 yrs, I'm 74. We don't have time to retire, were too busy. Can we not give what the Lord has blessed us with as the spirit leads us. Is it OK if God decides to bless my giving. Is that OK with you. It's a privilege to be able to give, and a great joy. I have an opinion that the less a person has, the more they give. My experience. Why is that, Hartono.
It's because they know, they have experienced need, and have been blessed when their needs were met. It then becomes very easy to turn loose of money, whether in their much, or in their little.

To whom much is given, much is required.
He wants us to experience the joy of giving!
The more you give, I believe the more he will entrust us with his blessings.
Not to keep, but to give to those in need.  God's way, not man's way.
And receive such a neat feeling, called joy. Ask God for understanding.

[R. Hartono]

1 hour ago, Sower said:

"God is not fish which can be lured with bigger bait to catch bigger fish"

You're right, Hartono. Because he knows my heart.
And he knows your heart also. This is the key. Why you/I give.
Why do you give at all. Are you happy to give? I feel you are angry with those who do give, because they quote "GOD'S WORD" to back up their statements.
People shouldn't assume because they have seen "prosperity preachers" abusing the word of God for gain, that anyone else quoting the same scriptures have the same motivations. That would` be wrong. I think you know this.
We are not to worry about those deceitful preachers, as God said that the vengeance for them is His.
 

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

So give it away.

We can.
But just because you have your own idea of how everything should work, you should read the words of God and believe/obey what he wants us to do.
I work six days a week, as does my wife. She is 72 yrs, I'm 74. We don't have time to retire, were too busy. Can we not give what the Lord has blessed us with as the spirit leads us. Is it OK if God decides to bless my giving. Is that OK with you. It's a privilege to be able to give, and a great joy. I have an opinion that the less a person has, the more they give. My experience. Why is that, Hartono.
It's because they know, they have experienced need, and have been blessed when their needs were met. It then becomes very easy to turn loose of money, whether in their much, or in their little.

To whom much is given, much is required.
He wants us to experience the joy of giving!
The more you give, I believe the more he will entrust us with his blessings.
Not to keep, but to give to those in need.  God's way, not man's way.
And receive such a neat feeling, called joy. Ask God for understanding.

As i told u be4- God is not a fish that u can lure with bigger bait to catch bigger fish.

 

[BeyondET]

7 hours ago, Daily verse and quote said:

Thank you for quoting Acts 3:6. Very appropriate to the topic at hand.

Your welcome, thank you for the thread, quite refreshing

Edited June 20, 2021 by BeyondET