Are you a cheerful giver?

Today was a giving day at NRN. As I arrived at the church on this Saturday morning I was surprised to see several people there to work on service projects at the church. I appreciate our trustees (Brad, Marty and Dave) very much. Before 10:00am the Bloodmobile from Rex Hospital took it's position at the front of the church.

The writing along the top of the bus read, "Every 3 seconds a person needs blood." Thanks to Sharron for her work to coordinate this event.

At last count we had 18 people who were able to give blood ~ which means we have helped 54 people needing blood in the days ahead. It is said that our blood could save a life. I really appreciate those who took part of their Saturday to come to the church to take part in our first blood drive for Rex hospital.

On Sunday I will stand before our family at NRN and announce that it is time for the offering - and a great sound of applause will take place. We offer our tithes and offerings to the Lord with a cheerful heart. This week Pastor Rick Warren posted a blog about what it means to tell God you love Him by giving to Him. (Thanks to Pam R. for sending this too me.) I hope it speaks to you as it spoke to me:

June 5, 2009

Tell God You Love Him by Giving to Him

by Rick Warren

"But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others" (2 Corinthians 8:7-8 NIV).

At the core of giving is the essence of love. When you love someone you want to give to them. You can give without loving but you cannot love without giving. If you say you love God, then it's going to show up in your generous lifestyle.

I can claim to be a Christian, a follower of Christ. I can claim to love God. But the Bible says there is one way to really test the sincerity of your love: "Just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love” (2 Corinthians 8:7-8 NIV).

God tests the sincerity of your love by looking at your giving.

Why does He do that? God doesn't need your time. He doesn't need your money. What does He need? He wants what your giving represents—your heart—and He wants you to become like Him. "For God loved the world so much that He gave" (John 3:16 NLT, emphasis mine). You can either become like God and be a generous giver or you can become like Satan and be a stingy hoarder.

I have discovered that there are basically two kinds of people—cheerful givers and fearful givers.

Cheerful givers say, "I'm going to give. It all belongs to God anyway. He gave it all to me. I wouldn't have anything without God so I'm going to give it all to Him and He can take care of all my needs."

Fearful givers say, "I can't afford to do this. I can't afford to give. I've got to hoard. I've got to watch what's for me. I've got to protect my selfish interests."

Cheerful or fearful—you make the decision. But remember God tests the sincerity of your love by how generous you are in life. Everything we have comes from God.

Giving is as much an act of worship as singing, praying, thanking, and listening. It's saying, "God, I love You so much I want to give back to You. You saved my life and I want to give back to You."

As you prepare to give tomorrow at church are you cheerful or fearful?

Here is a song about what it means to bring an acceptable offering to God