| Here we have the “grace” of giving, for it is a “grace” worked into our hearts because of our love for the Lord. It is “the proof of your love” and a means “to prove the sincerity of your love.” And God not only looks at what we give, but also at what we keep for ourselves. “If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.” God’s Word teaches us to give regularly and proportionately. “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay [up] by him in store, as God hath prospered him.” And He tells us of the blessing of giving bountifully, and of the loss both of present blessing and future reward for careless and grudging giving. “This I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 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.” “Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” |
