A Cheerful Giver
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. – 2 Corinthians 9:7
When my dad used to work at a 24-hour gas station, weary and worn travelers would occasionally pull in with their gas
tanks registering empty and without a dollar to their name. They would tell my dad their stories of woe and, with his good nature and heart of kindness,
he would listen. If he felt they were truthful and sincere, he would ask them if they had anything they would like to sell him. He would then purchase
the item and put gas in the seller’s tank, taking his own money used in the purchase to put in the cash register for their payment.
Dad listened by the hour to problems other people shared with him. He often would pray with one, or read the Bible to help comfort a discouraged soul.
When apples and blueberries were in season on our farm, the many friends who visited never left empty-handed. A person did not need money to receive
from my dad. He did not have much in material goods because he loved to give away what he had. His eyes were fixed on serving the Lord. What he had
was freely given when a need was seen, for giving brought him much joy. He never became world-famous or the president of a company, but in the eyes
of those he gave to and loved, he was a prince.
My dad was an example of what the Lord wants us to be in our giving. If we grumble and complain when we do things for the Lord, or if we give with reservation,
it is better not to give at all—we will have missed the blessing God has for us. Blessings come when we open our hearts and give with unconditional
love, with cheerfulness, and with no thought of return.