Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Greetings, dear people.

We managed to get in our little walk/jog. At one point Dandy took so long looking for his ball in the brush that when he finally gave up and came back up onto the road, he must have become disoriented as to where we were—whether up the hill or down the hill. We were then out of view. I guess he figured we were down—and trotted on home alone—with no ball.

Now we’re trying to get off in the direction of Mossy Rock, WA—a casual memorial gathering for Jeremy Beebe. I’ll try to give the car a quick wash before pulling out. Better hurry.

Love, Dad/Ray.

This last verse of our reading is like a “bottom line” to the whole matter of giving. Without this attitude of gratitude for God’s amazing grace, financial giving too easily is reduced to reluctant inconvenience or painful duty, thus robbing the donor of promised blessing. But recognizing and being truly thankful for God’s “indescribable gift” will cause one to be what God loves—“a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7). It cannot be otherwise. And while this must not be misunderstood as a matter of GIVING TO GET, the fact remains that God adds His blessing to cheerful givers as a means of encouraging and perpetuating what He loves. (Read again 9:6-11)

Have you seen those people on “Wheel of Fortune” freaking out with cheer and giddy rejoicing when they receive a bunch of luxury stuff? They are demonstrating the status of being cheerful receivers. That may be OK, but it’s not the best of objectives.

Let’s understand that one of the keys to Christian success is to learn to love what God loves, and hate what God hates. Think about it: Wouldn’t you love to love what God loves?! Sure, there’s a place for being a cheerful receiver, and there are times when receiving is a real blessing, but “God loves a cheerful giver.” Similarly, Paul quotes the words of Jesus in Acts 20:35 saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”