About Giving: Attitude is Everything
BY HELEN BESSENT BYRD, (M.Div’07)
“The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”
(2 Cor. 9:6-7).
One of my granddaughters who is a young adult will have a birthday very soon. We are sending her a Happy Birthday wish and a gift. She will appreciate our good wishes but she will really enjoy the gift! I don’t know anyone who dislikes receiving gifts. We glow with excitement when we know to expect a gift. The anticipation energizes us and the receipt of it causes us to bubble over with joy!
Now, what about giving gifts? We tend to give to family and friends, advocacy groups and political bodies as well as churches and other faith based organizations. Do you give with the same enthusiasm as you show when you receive gifts? More specifically, what is your motivation for giving? Do you give in order to get? Reflecting on giving in church or giving back to God, such giving is an act of stewardship, as defined in the Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms— “the responsibility given to humans in creation for managing the resources of the earth. Christian stewardship involves the whole of life since all life comes from God and is to be lived for God’s glory” (Don K. McKim).
Motivation is key in Christian stewardship. How much do you give? Genesis 14:19-20 records that God blessed Abram and, “Abram gave God one-tenth of everything.” Along the way in the gatherings of believers, this portion of the bounty God gives an individual became the standard for the amount a Christian should give to the church. When we tithe, it is an acknowledgement that all that we have belongs to God. So when we give back we are only giving God what God first gave us! In the final analysis, it is the giver’s decision who may give less or more per annum on a weekly, monthly or yearly basis. One preacher said, “Stewardship is not leaving a tip on God’s tablecloth; it is an act of confession of an unpayable debt to God at the death of Jesus’ human life.” Furthermore, Matthew tells us even when you tithe, do not neglect the more important matters of law – justice, mercy and faithfulness.
Why do you give? Do you give in order to get? We give out of obedience to God. We give for at least two reasons: in obedience to God and two acknowledge that what we have belongs to God. We are told in Proverbs 3:9 to, “Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce.” We should give voluntarily, not out of intimidation nor surprise. Nor do we believe that we can purchase redemption by paying a penance. Such practice is neither doctrinal nor acceptable.
Did you ever receive a gift from someone who you knew was not happy to give the gift? How did you feel? Did you accept it? The attitude a believer displays in giving a gift is very significant. The same applies in giving a gift in church or other philanthropic causes. Paul said you should not give reluctantly nor under pressure or obligation. He continues by saying with clarity, “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:6-7). There is a connection between giving and one’s spiritual welfare. God loves one who gives joyfully with a positive disposition, not grudgingly. Attitude is everything. The ability to give should be seen as a blessing and a pleasure. Stewardship of our lives and our possessions should be a generous and abundant response to all that God has given and will continue to provide to you. Remember, attitude is everything!
As you give (with a positive attitude) to the church and laudable faith-based causes, kindly remember to include gifts to support seminarians at Union. (See the website for giving opportunities. For tracking purposes, when you give, write BAA on the line with your name if you give online and on the memo line if you send a check!)
