Are You Cheerful Or hesitant When You Give? Proverb 19:17

Sometimes it's those with the least that give the most. Jesus used a widow's offering to teach a lesson of giving from the heart.

Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them;

"Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury;
for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood." Mark 12:41-44

It's easy to give when what you give does not even effect you, but when was the last time you went out of your way to give more than you thought the person deserved? Now I am not saying one should go broke or end up homeless because you gave all away, but to give a smidgen when you have enough to truly make a difference in their situation is what Christ expects from us. Instead of fifty cents, maybe enough for a good breakfast or lunch. Or, if after reading this, and the Lord moves you, you could do more. Basically, I speak of the kind of love Christ wants from us.

Do you question, in your mind, the motive of the one begging? Or do you give without giving it a second thought about their motive? If you give grudgingly, it's best to not give at all.  We are told that we should be a cheerful giver, because God loves a cheerful givers, and He will bless such a loving gesture.

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.  2 Corinthians 9:6-8

God knows your heart, and He knows if you are reluctant to share what he has blessed you with. Remember, all you have came from God, and but for Him you could be the homeless one begging. Don't think it could happen to you? Well I ask you to consider how quickly Job went from being a wealthy prominent man in the land, to sitting on the ground with nothing as he scrapped the sores off his skin with a broken piece of pottery.

Mind you, it was not because Job was a bad manager of his money, or because he lived a life that would usually cause a man to end up as he did. All it takes is a major disaster that stretches you beyond what you were prepared for. After all, you never know if God may decide to brag about how good a servant you are, and then allow Satan to do to you, as he did to Job.(Job 2:7-8)

Next time you see someone in need, maybe you will remember, But for the grace of God, there go you. So be mindful of today's chosen Proverb, but don't do it just because you expect to get paid back by God, because god knows your intentions.

He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD,
And He will pay back what he has given. Proverb 19:17

Proverb 19 (NKJV)

The Fear of the Lord Leads to Life

01 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
00 Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

02 Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge,
00 And he sins who hastens with his feet.

03 The foolishness of a man twists his way,
00 And his heart frets against the LORD.

04 Wealth makes many friends,
00 But the poor is separated from his friend.

05 A false witness will not go unpunished,
00 And he who speaks lies will not escape.

06 Many entreat the favor of the nobility,
00 And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.
07 All the brothers of the poor hate him;
00 How much more do his friends go far from him!
00 He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him.

08 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul;
00 He who keeps understanding will find good.

09 A false witness will not go unpunished,
00 And he who speaks lies shall perish.

10 Luxury is not fitting for a fool,
00 Much less for a servant to rule over princes.

11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger,
00 And his glory is to overlook a transgression.

12 The king's wrath is like the roaring of a lion,
00 But his favor is like dew on the grass.

13 A foolish son is the ruin of his father,
00 And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.

14 Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers,
00 But a prudent wife is from the LORD.

15 Laziness casts one into a deep sleep,
00 And an idle person will suffer hunger.

16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul,
00 But he who is careless of his ways will die.

17 He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD,
00 And He will pay back what he has given.

18 Chasten your son while there is hope,
00 And do not set your heart on his destruction.

19 A man of great wrath will suffer punishment;
00 For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction,
00 That you may be wise in your latter days.

21 There are many plans in a man's heart,
00 Nevertheless the LORD's counsel--that will stand.

22 What is desired in a man is kindness,
00 And a poor man is better than a liar.

23 The fear of the LORD leads to life,
00 And he who has it will abide in satisfaction;
00 He will not be visited with evil.

24 A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl,
00 And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary;
00 Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.

26 He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother
00 Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.

27 Cease listening to instruction, my son,
00 And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A disreputable witness scorns justice,
00 And the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

29 Judgments are prepared for scoffers,
00 And beatings for the backs of fools.