Giving can bring the scariest monsters within us to life. Ask someone to drop their contribution and they’re immediately offended.

“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over…” (Luke 6:30)

God views giving as second nature. He gives continuously, especially when we don’t deserve it. He even tells us to test him on it if we’re not convinced.

“Try Me now in this…if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it,” (Malachi 3:10)

God gives from His heart because He loves us. Why is it then that we don’t see giving the same way? I can speak for myself in saying, sometimes it’s hard to give. I can think of a thousand things to apply $5 to and this “wordly” thinking deters me from really seeing what God wants me to understand.

“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver,” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

It’s not about how much you give but about how you give. God calls us to give out of love and obedience, not because we are required to. He wants us to give out of free will with our full heart into.

Think about your own giving. Whether you volunteer time or write a check, are you giving to make yourself look better and feel that you have to? Or, are you giving from the heart with nothing by love?