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)
I receive many gifts from my young children. They seem to have a knack for sculpting large, messy works of “art” from common household objects, bits of nature, and what most of us would consider trash. Then I am presented with one of these masterpieces, usually still dripping with glue, along with the words, “Just for you, mommy!” Yet, there is something so pure in the love and generosity of my children’s hearts, that I actually do treasure those homemade gifts (at least until they inevitably fall apart).
Gifts given out of a loving heart are so much more meaningful than gifts given out of obligation. I’m sure we have all received an obligatory gift from a relative or co-worker. Even if it is expensive, tasteful, and beautifully wrapped, it is meaningless if you know the giver is grudging.
It’s amazing how God digs right down to the heart, all the time. Sometimes, when I consider giving a gift to Him, whether it is a financial gift, an act of service, a song of worship, or whatever, I may worry that what I’m offering him is messy and imperfect. I may even be tempted to hold back my gifts to Him, thinking they aren’t good enough. But when I think about those messy, sticky gifts that my children lovingly offer to me, I realize that it isn’t about the gift at all. God doesn’t need my money, my service, my songs. He wants my heart to love Him, and to be so overflowing with that love, that I want to give something, “just for Him.”
I receive many gifts from my young children. They seem to have a knack for sculpting large, messy works of “art” from common household objects, bits of nature, and what most of us would consider trash. Then I am presented with one of these masterpieces, usually still dripping with glue, along with the words, “Just for you, mommy!” Yet, there is something so pure in the love and generosity of my children’s hearts, that I actually do treasure those homemade gifts (at least until they inevitably fall apart).
Gifts given out of a loving heart are so much more meaningful than gifts given out of obligation. I’m sure we have all received an obligatory gift from a relative or co-worker. Even if it is expensive, tasteful, and beautifully wrapped, it is meaningless if you know the giver is grudging.
It’s amazing how God digs right down to the heart, all the time. Sometimes, when I consider giving a gift to Him, whether it is a financial gift, an act of service, a song of worship, or whatever, I may worry that what I’m offering him is messy and imperfect. I may even be tempted to hold back my gifts to Him, thinking they aren’t good enough. But when I think about those messy, sticky gifts that my children lovingly offer to me, I realize that it isn’t about the gift at all. God doesn’t need my money, my service, my songs. He wants my heart to love Him, and to be so overflowing with that love, that I want to give something, “just for Him.”
