A Cheerful Giver

A Cheerful Giver.  On the cusp of flying to Africa to “teach what accords with sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1), I am again fully aware—and extremely grateful—how missionary ministry depends on donations from Christians. My trip to Liberia to train 50 pastors in basic theology has been fully funded, thanks to God who guided many of you to give generously! What I am not always fully aware of, about which I need steady reminding, is how giving is a major element of worship. In this sense, Christian giving is unlike all other forms of charitable giving. Full marks for all forms of charity, but Christian giving is unique in that it is primarily a form of loving God, which becomes secondarily a mode of loving one’s neighbor. In other words, loving one’s neighbor without loving one’s God is altruistic but something less than worship. Christian giving is first worship, then fellowship. In truth, both are necessary—for generosity to others is largely how we represent and reflect our generous God. God loves a cheerful giver.

Like nearly all missionaries, our early years in foreign missions consisted of full-time fund-raising. Although the process was unthinkably grueling, I learned a valuable lesson that I didn’t intend to learn. I was rightly rebuked by one of our supporting partners. His lesson stuck! This partner fit the pattern that we repeatedly observed. Humanly speaking, he was too poor to give so much to our missionary ministry. It seemed to be borderline irresponsible. While I didn’t say that out loud to him, I thought it, and because I thought it, I said something that seemed slightly more palatable. “Thank you so much for your generous gift to us. It is humbling to receive.” He stopped me mid-sentence. “Oh, I don’t give to you; I give to God. You just are the direct beneficiary in this instance.” Wow, he was entirely right! From then on, I did not shrink back from receiving the generosity of others because I didn’t want to hinder their worship of God. Hypothetically speaking, if I had refused their support, then God would still have found a way to bless them, but I would not have been blessed in the meantime. Who am I to rain on God’s parade? It is his glory, not my ego, that matters most.

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, ‘He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.’ He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (2 Cor. 9:7-15).