Excited to give?

I Chron. 29:9  The people rejoiced over the offerings, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD, and King David was filled with joy.

When was the last time that you were in church and the people there got excited because of the offerings gathered?  Or, when was the last time you were excited and joyful because you were able to give an offering to the Lord?  If you are like most people, you aren’t necessarily thrilled when it comes to offering time.  You may tithe, but it’s more out of duty than a longing of the heart.  The Israelites gave their offerings to the Lord.  They gave because they wanted to give, and not because they felt they had to give.  They gave and there was more than enough to do the work the Lord had given them to do.

I wonder what would happen if we were to start offering to the Lord what we give from the longings of love in our hearts.  What if we were to give because of our love and gratitude for what He has done and continues to do in our lives?  I wonder what the Lord would do if we were to offer Him our money, time, and talents from the bottom of our hearts. 

Love is expressed through the generosity of our hearts.  How much do you really love the Lord?  You cannot love someone and withhold from them yourself.  You cannot love someone and withhold from them what you are able to give to help them when they are in need.  Does the Lord need us or our offerings?  No, but we need to give to Him for our sake, because a love that is not expressed through giving cannot grow or flourish.  

You may not be able to give much, but little is much when God has it.  Give from your heart cheerfully what you can and the Lord will bless it richly.  You will have all you need for your daily living and there will be more than enough in the storehouse of God to do the work He has given the church to do.