Confronting the Spirit of Lack – Part 3

Concurrent with materialistic values of the world and the flesh, is the tendency also built into the flesh to be unbelieving. No matter how we say it, to give anything at any time to any person or need is an act of faith. As already said in this series, when we get to the point that what we give is no longer an act of faith, for our benefit we need to increase the amount given. We have an ongoing battle with the flesh over the issue of whether to believe the Word of God of not in the sphere of giving.

In most cases, there is no one standing over us demanding that we give our money to any person or cause. I know that some are heavy handed over this issue and can labor long in exposition of it. Such preaching/teaching as that is acceptable as long as its ultimate intention is for the edification of the saints, i.e., the giver. Otherwise it becomes a legal demand that will inevitably produce spoiled fruit.

THE LAW OF THE HARVEST: In today’s text, the Apostle Paul makes a categorical statement when he says, “But this I say, He which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully” (2 Corinthians 12:6). This is the law of the harvest. Any farmer knows that if he wishes to have a large harvest he must plant abundantly. What he harvests will always be a multiplication of what he has sown.

Paul gave four fundamental qualifiers that determine the spiritual impact of one’s giving and the abundance of his harvest: “Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6).

1. One should give out of the preferences of his heart, i.e., the Greek word used here might be better translated as “preference” rather than “purposes.” Although the difference might seem to be slight, it is still there. We can purpose to give that which we don’t prefer to give. At the heart of all Godly responses and obedience should be a heart so prepared that we prefer what God wants, as opposed to all other choices. Godly giving must be out of a well prepared heart.

2. One should not give grudgingly. To be grudging speaks of being resentful. One can give to causes that he secretly is opposed to or that doesn’t fall under his favor. His giving may be motivated by hidden agendas that he is either unwilling or unable to vocalize. One should measure the attitude that prompts him to give knowing that our Father “is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4:12-13). When we give with wrong motivations, it could well cause the harvest to be spoiled. James said, “You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:2-3).

3. One should not give out of necessity. A better word to use here would be “constraint.” Although this verse suggests one should not give grudgingly, it also uses the word “constraint” in connection with it. While the word “grudgingly” speaks of attitude, “constraint” speaks of motivation. Why we give is as important as the attitude with which we give it. We often use the term “free will offering” to indicate that one should give only as he feels freely disposed to do so. Sometimes a person feels constrained simply because the plate is being passed and others are aware of whether or not he has given. As one who for many years has lived on the gifts given by the people to whom I minister, I have learned the difference. When people give abundantly, it means they have profited abundantly from the ministry I have performed. In such a case they don’t give “grudgingly” or by “constraint” but rather with a heart of appreciation.

4. One should give with a cheerful spirit. The Greek word that is translated “cheerful” in the King James Version might be transliterated to “hilarious.” There is a breakthrough point that one can come to when he gives. On the one hand, he may not want to turn loose of what he has labored hard and long to gain. On the other hand, he may feel that the person or cause to which he is giving is unworthy. Either of these attitudes will make him a reluctant giver. God doesn’t favor reluctance in giving. He wants us to break through to the point that giving causes an inner celebration to take place, i.e., a hilarious occasion. This makes God happy with the giver.

Giving that takes us beyond the realm of reluctance and constraint must be the kind of giving that takes us into the realm of the heavenly. It must be with such attitude and appreciation for the Father and His ability to provide that it becomes a celebratory experience, i.e., an experience of real worship each and every time we do it. When that occurs, we will little care what is multiplied back to us, although we have assurance that it will happen. What will really matter is that once again we have had the wonder-filled privilege of being in the presence of the Almighty God. Jeff