1324. They Gave Willingly
They Gave Willingly
"They were willing of themselves" (2Co_8:3).
In the 11th verse we read: "Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted."
In the 9th chapter, 7th verse, we read that those who give should give "not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." The Church at Macedonia knew nothing of committees sent around to beg. The early Church knew nothing of Inter-Church and New World Movements, contrived to put large giving over-the-top. The Apostles never resorted to human schemes and tear extracting devices in order to open the pocketbooks of the saints. Of course, they never stooped so low as to indulge in ice-cream festivals and fancy bazaars. They knew that the Church was dealing in grace and not in groceries. It is always profitable to study the building of the Tabernacle and also of the Temple, in this connection. The Word of God bears record concerning the gifts at the Tabernacle:
"Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take My offering" (Exo_25:2).
"And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord's offering to the work of the Tabernacle of the congregation, and for all His service, and for the holy garments.
"The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring, for all manner of work which the Lord had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses" (Exo_35:21, Exo_35:29).
The Word of God bears witness concerning the gifts at the Temple:
"Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers over the king's work, offered willingly.
"And gave for the service of the House of God of gold five thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron" (1Ch_29:6-7).
"Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
"But who am I, and what is my people, that should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee" (1Ch_29:9, 1Ch_29:14).
If people today caught the spirit of these Old Testament saints, we would never have any trouble with our finances. For our part, we do not believe that God appreciates a forced giving. He wants us to give because we love Him. He wants us to give out of a heart that yearns to give. When people have given themselves to the Lord, as we discussed before, they will give willingly and cheerfully of their means.
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR