Hands that Give and Serve
2 Corinthians 9:7
Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Martin Luther said, “Every man undergoes two conversions, the first one is of the heart, and the second is of the wallet.”
This verse in 2 Corinthians implies several things about your giving:
First, we must purpose in our hearts to give. Giving should be at the very core of who we are. It is easy to budget something that is in our hearts to do. We think about it, plot and plan as to how to get it to those in need. We could strategize how to save money at home so we are able to meet the needs of others. Is there a specific use for the money you give; certain people or people with specific needs? Projects or plans for building or feeding. Will it be to support the things generally that the body is doing as a whole church?
Bless others in secret. But set it as the foremost desire of your heart. Start an investment club with others using the profits each year (or more frequently) to help a family or invest in a project.
Cultivate the joy of the Lord in your giving. Maintain a spirit of thankfulness. God doesn’t need your money and so if you will begrudge it, forget it. Remember what Christ has done and will do in your life. Study how your gifts will bring great glory and pleasure to our King.
Lastly, this verse says that God loves a cheerful giver. This is way more than “cheerful”. The English doesn’t do it justice. It is more like “hilarious”. There should be something of an insanity to our giving. It is to stop worrying about how perfectly it is used or even how deserving the person is to receive it (after all, how deserving were we?) and be intoxicatingly thrilled with the very blessing of giving.
1 Pet 1:22
Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,
Serving is to express love fervently. If one cannot do that then it is time to repent.
Much of your time and efforts will be given over to meeting the needs of others, either physically or financially.
Jesus said that those who give are more blessed than those who receive. Doing this Habit of Christ-likeness will prove that every day.
Remember that you will need to set priorities. This is not to be an exercise in becoming burned out. Needs do not end nor are they ever satisfied. Much of what you do will be thankless except from the throne of heaven. Fall in love with that. Be careful never to give when you see your gifts are manipulating people and beware your heart so ensure you do not slip into a mere love for the praise of man. It is man’s praise by which our hearts are tested. You will need to set boundaries and be wise so as not to give to another’s detriment. Pray and watch as God brings those across your path whom He desires to bless through you.
We are commanded to give to whoever asks. But that doesn’t mean we give all that they ask or even exactly what they ask. That follows the example of God in our own lives. Each day seek for God’s wisdom and eyes to see the real needs of others. John and Peter, when they went into the temple shortly after Jesus ascended were asked by a man for money. They didn’t have any but they did have something to give, and they did.
Take risks. Be wise, but not so “wise” that the promises of God are not tested and found to be true. Give until the blessings you receive are simply too much to bear, and then give more. Make a plan, or don’t. Don’t plan so that you can only give what you can give. Plan to give what God can give.
Books such as Ron Sider’s book Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger is a great place to start. Francis Schaeffer’s True Spirituality is another to begin to understand this calling. Reading men and women like Theresa of Avilla and Bernard of Clairvaux, Thomas a Kempis, Benedict and others like him who took vows of poverty in order to do nothing but serve the needs of others are wonderful examples of sacrificial servanthood.
Other kinds of books like Chapman’s Five Love Languages and Please Understand Me by David Kiersey and Marilyn Bates can begin to give you insight on how people think and feel and help make those who are difficult to love a lot more loveable. There are other books on personality types that might help as well.
Spiritual Gift Inventories: There are many excellent surveys and tests on the internet that are free and they can give you ideas about where you gifting lies. Every gift can be used for this Habit, especially the gift of leadership because only the best servants make good leaders. Another very thorough evaluation that includes what others have seen you doing is Tim Blanchard’s book, A Practical Guide to Finding Your Spiritual Gifts.
Community Service: You can call the office or Burks McGlasson for lists of ideas and places in the community that need your help.
Faith Shepherding Ministry: Contact Dennis Weable if you are interested in being a part of the shepherding ministry here at Faith. You can also call the office and be placed on a list of people who visit and care for the hurting in the church.