#4 God Loves A Cheerful Giver

Peregian Beach sunrise, Australia. Gods mercies are new every morning.

2016 (19AD)

I was two weeks into my first full time job for many years, and it was my first pay day. My husband and I had been living modestly for the past fifteen years, whilst we raised our three children. Mark had always worked full-time and I had worked part-time, intermittently. We had enough over those years, and were content without worldly extras. Clothes were mostly hand-me-downs, meals were home cooked, vehicles were old and driven to their end of life.  On occasion I put things back at the grocery checkout after the charge was totalled, and sometimes I would transfer all spare dollars to the one account to afford the $20 fuel top up to get home. But then also, just when the need arose, friends or family would unexpectedly gift us a night out, a car or a holiday to keep us loved and encouraged. If you have lived within God’s economy, you know what I am talking about. We knew what it was to have enough with little money, we trusted in God’s provision and we were rich in relationships and community.

Today was the beginning of a new season, I was receiving my first full time pay in fifteen years, I was grateful and I wanted to celebrate. My prayer as I drove to work, “Lord You know we have depended on Your provision for many years, and I have been grateful for all You have done. And now You have blessed us with two full incomes. Most people would celebrate with a bottle of wine, but can I ask for something different? Can I please pay for fuel for someone who is unable to pay? I would like to share the blessing of my first pay. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Don’t be thinking I am some kind of do-gooder, there is plenty of selfish in me also, and I have enjoyed a glass of wine over the years. But after 15 years of living week to week and being on the receiving end of so much kindness, in that moment, that was my prayer.

Sure enough, God was faithful.

Three days later I filled up at a servo I had not been to before. As I approached the counter to pay, I saw a woman around the age of 35 perhaps, over to the side. She was on her phone in a quiet conversation, with tears in her eyes. I could not hear her words but I knew that look, I had experienced the embarrassment of putting things back a few times. I then remembered my prayer from three days prior.

As I paid for my own fuel, I asked the cashier if the woman was unable to pay. He confirmed my thoughts. I quickly said, I’ll pay. He then told me how much it was, with a tone implying I would likely change my mind once I heard the amount. The amount was irrelevant as this was the moment God had orchestrated, so I reaffirmed I’d pay, and happily tapped my card against the  eftpos machine. It gave me great joy that God had listened to and honoured my prayer. I asked the cashier to let the lady know her fuel bill was paid, so she could stop seeking a solution over the phone. I walked out without any direct interaction with her.

A few seconds later the lady met me at my car. She was abrim with tears and gratitude. She explained she had broken up with her boyfriend that morning and she was on the phone to her sister asking for help, but she was unable to. She told me my gesture gave her hope on an otherwise awful day. I let her know I was a Christian and Jesus had led me to her and that He sees her and loves her. We parted ways.

If you are a cynic, you could write this event off as a coincidence, but this type of interaction with God’s involvement is not unusual in my life. God is alive, He sees, listens and cares, He is helpful. God desires and enjoys everyday relationships with all His children, He sustains our needs including when we do not acknowledge Him or believe Him.

The flow of kindness and generosity is an uplifting aspect of Christian life. Our family has experienced both small and substantial gifts when we have been in need (see future post, God Please Help Us Find A Car?) and it is now our blessing to follow God’s lead, affording to pass gifts on to others.

When we invite God into the stewardship of our finances, we experience increased faith, joy and purpose because God knows where best the money can help. We also develop a contentedness in enough. With an understanding that God provides us with all our finances, we are each responsible to be prayerful and wise in our approach to its distribution. We are called to provide for our loved one’s needs, but not always their excessive wants. Giving to others is an important aspect of raising healthy families. We each have something we can share to bless others, be it our finances, talent or our time.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Psalm 121:1-2 I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from?  My help comes from Yahweh, who made heaven and earth.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation nor turning shadow.

James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers. Didn’t God choose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him?