6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written:
"He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever." 10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.
We should feel joy in our heart when we give. As St. Paul says, we should not give grudgingly, nor out of obligation. Perhaps you have heard it said, "Give until it hurts." However, in giving to God and His Church, we say "Give until it feels good."
Therefore, if we cannot seem to feel good about our giving, it's probably because we are not giving generously and sacrificially. Our pain or discomfort may be due to the fact that we separate ourselves from God's love when we give grudgingly or out of obligation.
God loves a cheerful giver. Give because you want to give. Give because you want to please God. Give because you see a need in others that you can fill with your giving. As followers of Jesus who gave everything he could give, we give in love and in gratitude for the gifts that God has given us.
Peace and love,
Sue
"Then Jesus said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me". (Luke 9:23)
No comments:
Post a Comment