www.bible.com/111/pro.11.24.niv
We have all heard the old saying it is more blessed to give than to receive. The Bible backs this saying up. If you go all the way back to Genesis you can see this. In Genesis chapter 4 we see the story of Cain and Abel. Abel was a shepherd and Cain was a farmer. They both brought offerings to God from their produce. However, Abel we are told brought his offering from the firstborn of his flocks and this caused God to look with favor on Abel and his offering. We are not told exactly what Cain brought as offering it was more than likely grain, but it was not what Cain brought that caused his problem with God it was Cain’s attitude and heart that caused God to not look with favor on Cain and his offering. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 9:7 “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (NIV). When you withhold unduly whether through not giving at all or giving out of a wrong motive or attitude you are setting yourself up failure. Jesus had very strong words for those withheld their time, their talents, and their money from those in need. Jesus said, “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ They also, will answer, ‘Lord when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” (Matthew 25:41-45 NIV). Remember give cheerfully and from the heart with an open hand. God loves a cheerful giver.