Giving

Since yesterday's message on offering our lives as a beautiful sacrificial incense, I have been reflecting further on the following verse: "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver."(2 Corinthians 9:7). Acts 20:35 tells us that, "It is more blessed to give than to receive". God's Kingdom is full of giving people so everyone is receiving and giving. We sometimes need to be cautious and discerning on what, when, where and why we are giving. When we sense we should say no, then we are to look at our heart to ensure we are right with the Lord. Sometimes we are indeed to say no, for instance, if we are not ultimately helping the receiver. Sometimes people tell us to do something which God has supposedly told them to tell us to do; we need to receive confirmation from God to us personally. "Test everything, and hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Check our hearts in our giving and withholding. Ask God to guide us so we give wisely and with love.