On a beautiful spring day, some friends and I strolled along a private beach, enjoying blue skies and a refreshing breeze. Abruptly, one of them turned to me and asked how to tell a young missionary couple to stop asking her for financial support. She’d given once but didn’t want them asking again every year.
Her question caught me off guard. She’d just named her celebrity neighbors and mentioned her ability to buy not just anything she wanted in a store—but the whole store if she chose.
Knowing that my husband and I ran a nonprofit that depended on charitable gifts, was she hinting that I shouldn’t ask for a donation? Or did she think I could tell her a gracious way to terminate the relationship with these missionaries? I’m sure the wealthy must receive lots of requests to give. Maybe she felt used.
I’m not sure what I said. But I know God loves a cheerful giver—and so do I (2 Cor. 9:7). Having been on the receiving end of reluctant giving, I know how yucky that feels. Resentful giving robs the giver and taints the gift. This applies to gifts of time and service as well as money.
I know working in the nursery with babies two and under is not my favorite thing. Since I can’t cheerfully give my time there, I’ve found ways I can serve older children and adults.
I gladly invest time and money in personal study, classes, and commentaries to better equip me for a service I do enjoy. I give because God has blessed me with rich opportunities to grow in my faith, and I want to pass that on.
Why We Sometimes Hesitate to Give
I’ve found grateful people to be generous people. And the generous people I’ve met are usually joyful people. When we feel reluctant to give, it doesn’t necessarily mean we’re selfish; it may mean we’re being asked to give something we don’t feel equipped to give. Or our hearts would rather invest in something that means more to us.
But those who’ve received the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ all have something to give to help build His kingdom. And Jesus said He receives those gifts as if they were given directly to Him.
As I look back on that day at the beach, I realize God had a lesson for me: material wealth doesn’t make you rich. In fact, the Bible warns that it can seduce us and rob us of true riches (Matt. 13:22; 1 John 2:15-17).
Generous hearts are truly rich. The time, energy, and monetary investments we make in God’s kingdom reward us in many ways, both now and in the future (Matt. 6:19-21, 24). These rewards include joy, new connections, growth in character and skills, and a kingdom mindset.
When I feel reluctant to give, I can bring my heart before the Lord. Is this cause or purpose not one He’s inviting me to, or do I need a mindset adjustment? The Christian walk is powered by faith, love, and grace. I want to give from those motives, not from compulsion, guilt, or fear.
I don’t know what motivated my companion’s question that day. But it reminded me to “remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:35 NLT). If I can’t give cheerfully, it may be a sign this isn’t where I’m called to give—or that I need to revisit the grace I’ve received.
God loves a cheerful giver. What helps you be one? #joy, #Giving Share on XBlessings,
Sometimes I link to these great sites:
#MondayLinkUp #InstaEncouragements, #Let’sHaveCoffee, #Grace&Truth, #SweetTea&Friends
Such an important point Debbie. Our intention and motivation – our heart attitude – is what matters most to God.
Ann, your words remind me of Jesus commending the widow who gave all she had.
Perhaps if we keep in mind the blessings of generosity (And there is ALWAYS blessing, according to Acts 20:35.), we’d be more ready to give. You named some of them: joy, new connections, growth in character and skills, and a kingdom mindset. Another is the delight of watching God supply our own needs in miraculous ways, because we were willing to short-change ourselves a bit.
Nancy, I agree. In fact when I was looking for a previous blog to link this one too, I found a story I had told years ago that I had completely forgotten. It blessed my heart to remember God‘s provision.
I hadn’t thought about the angle that if I feel reluctant to give to a particular need, I may not be called to. I can certainly see that in regard to time–I used to be in children’s ministries, but didn’t really enjoy that kind of ministry. When I branched out into other areas of service, I felt a lot more at home.
But it’s a new thought to me that it may be the case with finances as well. My husband and I usually make those decisions together. When I am reluctant to give, it helps to remind myself that nothing I have belongs to me in the first place–it all belongs to the Lord.
Barbara, I believe being willing to do His will makes me open to His leading. And reluctance makes me want to pause and examine why. As you mentioned, I learned that first in acts of service. It makes sense it would apply in other giving too.
Such an important message Debbie. Giving with a cheerful heart is a must. Thanks for sharing this message Debbie.
Thanks, Yvonne.
That’s a tough topic. Does a one-time donation, even a one-year commitment for a donation–does it mean we are committed to donate for the duration of that charity’s existence? I think God leads us to where we sow our giving–and we need to listen carefully with discernment. However we respond, it needs to be a cheerful, caring response. It is better to give than receive–but God guides us to where we need to be sowing.
I agree 100%. It can feel tough when it’s a “good cause.“