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We profess as Christians that giving is an important practice in our lives. We make use of what we have and give to the church, Christian charities, and works that serve good purposes in society, along with our families and people in need. But giving can also prove a real challenge. If that is what we find, then giving cheerfully is twice the challenge. How, then, may we give cheerfully? Three observations can be offered to promote giving cheerfully in our lives.
giving cheerfully reflects the heart of the gospel
If we are to regularly practice giving cheerfully, we must be settled as to its importance in the Christian life.
God’s new covenant promise declares, “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more” (Heb. 8:12, quoting Jer. 31:34). This text expresses God’s favorable will to avert His wrath from the elect and pardon their sins. God fulfilled this promise by Christ’s priestly work on the cross. Christ’s bearing God’s wrath on the cross for our sakes was the greatest of His sufferings, yet God did not enter into it reluctantly. It was God’s infinitely gracious counsel and good pleasure to give His Son. Christ’s sacrifice proceeds from God’s benevolent will toward us.
Cheerful giving also conveys a readiness and gladness to provide. It reflects God’s willingness to offer His Son in the gospel. It is a faithful outworking of the good news of Christ’s atonement in the Christian life. God loves His Son for His faithful sacrifice (John 10:17), and although we image Him imperfectly, nonetheless, “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7).
Since giving cheerfully pleases the Father, we should also understand by way of contrast that not doing so provokes His fatherly displeasure. Deuteronomy 28:47–51 impresses this upon us. God describes covenant curses that follow not a lack of service to Him but service to Him that lacks gladness. The manner of Christian service is as important to God as the service itself. If we are to please Him, our practice cannot be only to give but to give cheerfully.
giving cheerfully overcomes fallen desires through Christian faith
The fallen nature is inclined not to giving but to greed. It reasons that there is no personal gain in giving, only loss. Instead of cheer in charity, there is sorrow for cost. The mind can be easily filled with desires for material possessions: “What can I have?” and “What can I gain?” rather than “What can I give?” or “How can I help?”
Timothy Dudley-Smith expressed this preoccupation of mind well in the third verse of his hymn “Lord, for the Years”: “Lord, for our land in this our generation, spirits oppressed by pleasure, wealth and care . . . , be pleased to hear our prayer.” Christians are not immune from the spiritual oppressions described in the hymn. Christ supplies the faith that is necessary for us to overcome temptation and instead to give cheerfully so that we may glorify God, benefit others, and do good for our own souls.
If we find it difficult to give cheerfully, we may especially need convincing that it is also for our own good. Although self is not the primary purpose for giving, the Bible often reassures us that it is in fact in our own interest to give. Examples abound: “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days” (Eccl. 11:1); “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matt. 5:7); and “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Gal. 6:9). If we are persuaded that we benefit from doing good, we will be convinced that there is gain in giving cheerfully.
giving cheerfully faithfully witnesses to jesus christ as lord
Giving cheerfully is a radical, far-reaching teaching in the Christian life. Followed faithfully, its practice is independent of circumstances, material possessions, or how we feel we are doing. This is because it is founded on God’s presence with us in Christ.
The Old Testament expresses joy in God’s presence: “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Ps. 16:11). The New Testament presents Christ as that same source of joy. This is fitting because He is God. Because He was with them, Jesus could say to His disciples in frightening and fearful situations, “Be of good cheer.” Simply to be in His presence is a cause of joy for a believer, and so His exhortation to be cheerful is centered on His presence: “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid” (Matt. 14:27, NKJV), and “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NKJV).
Cheerful giving for a Christian is dependent not on circumstances but on Christ’s presence with us by His Spirit. He has promised never to leave us or forsake us. Especially in adversity, cheerful giving is a powerful witness to the world of Christ’s lordship and sufficiency for our souls. As Christians, we wish to seek ways that we may offer a faithful witness to Christ, and giving cheerfully is one such example.
We have found that Christ provides the impetus for cheerful giving through His giving of Himself for us on the cross. He provides the way to give cheerfully through Christian faith. Finally, He is the goal of cheerful giving as He is exalted in these day-to-day actions of Christians witnessing to His lordship and sufficiency. May we be encouraged, then, to give cheerfully, giving thanks to our God and Lord Jesus Christ, who graciously gave Himself for our souls and supplies our every need to faithfully follow Him.