If the Eagerness is There

For if the eagerness is there, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. – 2 Corinthians 8:12

In this portion of Paul's letter, he instructed the church at Corinth on the giving and receiving of a relief offering for the church in Jerusalem. It is clear, according to the Apostle, that God honors any offering (no matter the size) when it is backed by the honest intent of the donor. Some may be able to give a little, while others may give much more. The amount does not matter, but the heart certainly does.

Often when a person first begins to understand the biblical principle (to be clear, I do not see this as a command) of giving a tenth of their income (tithing) to God's work, financial patterns have to be adjusted and this may take a little time. I believe that God acknowledges the eagerness of the giver until the reality is achieved. The same principle may also be applied to our service. We may have to adjust our schedules to allow for opportunities to serve the Lord and He will be gracious with the one who earnestly seeks to honor Him in this way.

We must make a sincere and eager effort to give of our resources (time and finances) and, as a result, we put ourselves in a position to be a blessing and to be blessed.

It's what you sow that multiplies, not what you keep in the barn. – Adrian Rogers