Being the Cheerful Receiver

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;

He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  When a farmer plants a field, if he is sparing with the seed, he will yield a small crop or none at all, but most farmers overseed knowing that not all of the seed will be fruitful.  I grew up in a culture where you argued over the check and everyone tended to himself or herself and if they made more in life, it was because they worked harder…rubbish I say.

When someone gives to others they must give what they have purposed in their heart.  And those on the receiving end need to receive it with cheer.  This will do two things: 1) Allow joy to flow to the cheerful giver or 2) Reveal the true nature of a person’s heart and cause them to face it.  I must admit that I used to fall into the trap of not letting others care for me.  It was chivalrous or whatever they call it.  You’re not a man unless you take care of your end of it.  Pure nonsense. 

If you want to see what a real man is then read the Scriptures.  He looks quite different than an American man.

Acts 20:33-35

33 “I have not wanted for myself anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.

34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have provided not only for my own needs, but for the needs of my co-workers as well.

35 In everything I have given you an example of how, by working hard like this, you must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Yeshua himself, ‘There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.’”

Paul says that he provided not only for his own needs but to the needs of his co-workers as well.  We are supposed to work so that we may provide for our families as well as our brothers and sisters in Yeshua.  It is “happiness” to those who give to the weak (those in hard financial times).

Deuteronomy 26:10-13

10 Therefore, as you see, I have now brought the firstfruits of the land which you, Adonai, have given me.’ You are then to put the basket down before Adonai your God, prostrate yourself before Adonai your God,

11 and take joy in all the good that Adonai your God has given you, your household, the Levi and the foreigner living with you.

12 “After you have separated a tenth of the crops yielded in the third year, the year of separating a tenth, and have given it to the Levi, the foreigner, the orphan and the widow, so that they can have enough food to satisfy them while staying with you; 13 you are to say, in the presence of Adonai your God, ‘I have rid my house of the things set aside for God and given them to the Levi, the foreigner, the orphan and the widow, in keeping with every one of the mitzvot you gave me. I haven’t disobeyed any of your mitzvot or forgotten them.

We are even commanded to use our tithe for the foreigner, orphan, and the widow.  Next time you go to tithe ask yourself the question: Do I know someone in need who could use this tithe?  If you do, give it to them.  That is the biblical way of tithing.  Not giving it to a congregation and absolving yourself of your responsibility to take care of those in need.

Be cheerful when giving and receiving.  Be a part of the blessing, not a hindrance.  Know that when someone gives you something they have purposed to do it in their heart.  If they have done it half-heartedly, Adonai will deal with them.  Your part is to receive because nothing happens by chance in life.  Elohim is in complete control and that moment was meant to be.

Shalom!