“God loves a cheerful giver! Don’t be a sourpuss!” (2 Chronicles 29-31)
Sometimes, God’s people don’t understand the “joy” of giving, whether it is tithes, offerings or alms to the poor. God blesses them all, but we need to give “with joy” or with a willing heart, or don’t give at all. King Hezekiah made up his mind to bring the people of Israel and Judah back to God. After breaking down all the idols, and rededicating their lives to the Lord, they began to bring their tithes and offerings to the Lord… “The children of Israel brought in abundance the first fruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly. And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the Lord their God, and laid them by heaps.” 2 Chronicles 31:5-6 – The people brought in so much that they had to build a storehouse. The condition of the heart in giving is more important than the giving itself. “So let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 – You might even want to “laugh” when you give!! Sherry