Thanksgiving From The Bible Pt. 11 Are You A Cheerful Giver Or A Grudging Giver?

 We have been studying the topic of "thanksgiving" this month. It is a broad subject and we learn much about how the child of God should be when it comes to giving thanks to God.

In this post, we will look at a New Testament text and see the connection between freely giving our tithes and offerings to God, and having thankful hearts.

Thanksgiving flows from our cheerful tithing. 

2 Corinthians 9:6,7  But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7)  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 

The Apostle Paul gave us a very good principle for giving an offering to God. This principle contains both a blessing and a warning. 

Giving an offering to support local church ministries was established in the book of Acts. Here, it is pictured as sowing and reaping because everyone understood what Paul meant, since they farmed. 

If a farmer sows only a small amount of seed on his land, he is going to reap a very small harvest. On the other hand, if he liberally sows his fields with seed, he will enjoy a productive harvest. 

The principle is very clear. If we sow sparingly, which is giving a small offering and keeping the rest for ourselves, we are not going to enjoy blessings that God has for us. If we sow bountifully, by giving generously, then we will enjoy many blessings from God. 

Therefore, each individual Christian should settle this matter of giving to our local church, and make sure that our offerings are not given "grudgingly." 

A grudging giver is one who really does not want to part with his or her money. Such a person would rather keep it all for themselves. They may say:  "I can't pay my bills or put money in savings if I give money to God." 

God loves a cheerful giver. This means we give God our tithes with a glad heart, a cheerful demeanor and a prompt, willing spirit. 

Are we giving our tithes cheerfully or grudgingly? The cheerful giver will enjoy God's blessings but the grudging giver will not. 

Psalm 50:10  For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.

Yet, the truth is that all we have belongs to God. We are to be good stewards of what He entrusts to us, whether much or little. The whole earth and everything in it belongs to God for He created it all. 

I pointed out previously that Abraham gave tithes to Melchisedek of all that he had (See Genesis 14:17-21). 

This happened several hundred years before God gave a law that commanded a tithe. Thus, just as the covenant of faith between God and Abraham predates the law, so does the blessing of giving God a tithe predates the law. 

Thus, I suggest that if you really want to honor Jehovah, start tithing. You will find that He will bless you as He promised to do. 

Thanksgiving by tithing to Jehovah. 

Malachi 3:8-10  Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9)  Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10)  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, then there shall not be room enough to receive it. 

The nation Israel became slack and did not give God the tithe that He deserved. Jehovah sent Malachi to confront them about this sin. Notice, God did not pour out judgment for their failure. Rather, He gave them an opportunity to respond.

Jehovah challenged the Israelites to give their tithes and to see Him faithfully pour out blessings upon them. He said He would open heaven's windows and pour out such abundant blessing, that it would overwhelm the people.

Take some time and talk to Christians who tithe. Ask them about God's blessing for their obedience. You may be very surprised when they share how faithful God is to do what He promises to do. 

Christ promised to bless all who offer tithes to God. 

Luke 6:38  Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. 

Jesus encouraged His disciples to give to God because He will reciprocate by blessing us. Whatever we give to God will be returned to us in a good measure. It will be shaken and pressed down, which is like putting grain into a container and making sure it settles, so that you can put in as much as possible. 

This is the principle God established concerning a believer giving a tithe or an offering unto the Lord. You can tithe and be blessed or you can hold back your money and not be blessed. 

Tithing spreads thanksgiving within the church of Jesus Christ. 

2 Corinthians 9:8-11  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9)  (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10)  Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11)  Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 

Individual believers giving their tithes to God is how the Lord operates His church. Our giving supports local church ministry and the good works that flow out of it. Our giving supports our Pastors and Missionaries, so that they may sow the good seed of God's word in the world.  

You may think that you are too poor to make a difference in supporting the things of God. Yet, Jesus commended the widow who cast in "two mites" which was all that she had (See Luke 21:1-4). This is equivalent to about 1/4 cent in our currency. Her heart was right in that she gave her all, and trusted in the Lord God to provide for her needs. 

Thus, believers in Christ offering tithes to God, whether a large amount or a small amount, is about having a right heart toward the Lord who saved us from our sins. He bought us with the price of His blood. Why wouldn't we freely offer Him tithes?

Why does God give riches? So we may apply what we have as stewards for His glory, and for support of gospel ministry. 

Why does He allow some Christians to have many assets? So that He may use their liberal giving to bless others in the church who are less fortunate. As they give, they are enriched in every thing and others give thanks to God for His goodness to them.  

Cheerful tithers meet needs and spread thanksgiving by giving. 

2 Corinthians 9:12-14  For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 13)  Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; 14)  And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. 

A church is a living organism composed of all born again Christians, no matter where they live. Each believer in Christ possess the indwelling Spirit of God. He unites us together in local church bodies as well as in the global body of Christ. 

This ministry of tithing provides for our Pastors, Missionaries, and meets need in the local and global church. Our tithing causes many believers near and far, to break out in thanksgiving to God. They give God all the glory and the grace of God in us is manifest to all. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

Are we giving tithes cheerfully? I pray that we are, because God blesses us when we obey Him concerning our giving.

Are you a grudging giver? I pray that you are not. But, for those who have a grudging heart when it comes to giving an offering or tithe to God, I say, try tithing and ask God to change your heart and make it cheerful. You will not be disappointed because God will bless you for your obedience and faithfulness. 

You can tithe and be blessed or you can hoard your money and not be blessed. The choice is yours to make but the outcomes from scripture are certain. 

When we cheerfully tithe, God uses the funds to meet needs that would otherwise not be met. Other Christians are filled with joy and thanksgiving because of our tithes meeting needs, and God gets the glory in this, not us. This is a true blessing when we obey Him.

Bob