The Joy of Giving
 

Do any of you ever get happy while you are making out your tithes and offering checks? Let's talk about the joy of giving, shall we?

Not so much tithes, but I enjoy giving.

I put cash in my envelopes....Yes I do.I am always excited that God has
given me more than I ever expected.

I enjoy blessing the work of God and knowing that I am making the church able to move ahead.

I remember one Sunday afternoon:

My Elder was out of town, and his wife, Sis. __ approached me.

She said "I'd like to talk to you..."

I got nervous. I was thinking "What did I do that was soooo bad that she is going to talk to me, rather than wait for Elder __ to return!" Ha Ha

Anyway, so she says something along the lines that she has taken notice that I give faithfully. She told me that I have my whole heart in it... and she told me that she was proud of me. She said that she smiled every time she seen an envelope with my name on it. :)

That was a special moment for me. I almost cried. :)

No...but I was overjoyed when I paid $36 for a chocolate pie made by one of the sisters in the church as a fund raiser for our kids choir :hypercoffee

Buttering you up for when you're a major tithe payer...maybe you'll even get a position on the board!

No way!

I was thinking about this thread while I was driving through a rainstorm to Northville, so I'll share a few thoughts...

Do I get happy making out the offering/tithe envelope as the Scripture infers...a "cheerful," kneeslapping, overjoyed giver?!

Can't say that I've ever done that or even felt that way, however, that must not be construed as not willing and happy to give.

I return a tithe because, IMHO, that is right and what is due Him. I do not do it grudgingly, but with a grateful heart.

My giving is what I desire to do and give, and is not limited to my local church. Giving for Kingdom sake, at least for me, is done in many ways and is not limited to finance.

I consider that when I bestow a gift that uplifts a heart or speak a word of encouragement or extend a hand or open a door or speak peace in the midst of turmoil or quietly buy groceries for someone in need or let you go ahead of me in the grocery line or give someone a godly hug who needs a friend and on and on that this is giving to the Kingdom as well, and I do it with a glad heart.

It warms my spirit in ways that I cannot begin to express to hear a friend who has been going through a long and difficult trial laugh out loud...I mean lay her head back and really have a good laugh...it brings joy to my soul, and I feel this is giving as well.

When Destiny sent me a Thinking of You card, and said that she began the New Year with me visiting her in her thoughts and prayers, I cannot express how that blessed my spirit...she was giving and I gratefully received.

So, I'm being longwinded again, but do I love to give?! Absolutely!! I pray God blesses me with the riches of this world so that I may bless Mother A and those on the front lines, and give to the different men and women who are serving from pure hearts and motives...may God hear my prayer!!

I have given cheerfully.

I have given grudgingly.

I liked the first one better. :)