Give Until It Delights

The experience of giving is a thing all its own in this life. It is an experience that is greatly affected by the intent and perspective of the giver. The first matter to consider is the spiritual gift of being grateful. There is no possibility to give unless one has something in one’s possession to give. Another way to put it is not the language of possession but the language of trusteeship. Sometimes we say that we have things entrusted to us, over which we have influence and stewardship. We have a say about a few things in this life. We can influence the place to which they flow.

So the first matter is gratitude to have that influence. The Christian would say all things are from God and when we direct them somewhere, they are gifts of God to others. Maybe the second matter in giving is generosity. We have it in our ability to cultivate a feeling for others. Having the wellbeing of others in our awareness is related to compassion and kindness. When cultivated, we have as much joy in seeing someone get something as we have when we receive something ourselves.

Having thankfulness and generosity are two key elements that turn giving into something delightful. Perhaps a third element to develop is an appreciation for simplicity. Amassing things is a way to accidentally amass worries. Getting your abode more spacious is to make your soul more spacious and peaceful. Clutter in the environment or the portfolio can bring about a cluttered mind and heart.

The Epistle this Sunday is all about this. Paul urges the Christians in Corinth to give for the well-being of some specific people in need. Read over all the spiritual principles he outlines in this message:

As you excel in everything-- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you-- so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.

I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something—now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has—not according to what one does not have. I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. As it is written,

“The one who had much did not have too much,
and the one who had little did not have too little.”  (2 Corinthians 8:7-15)

I am realistic. I know sometimes we give with a little twinge of drudgery or anxiety. But we can cultivate the attitude that all we have comes from God, and when we give back to God through benevolent giving, we are giving back a portion of what we have received from God. This makes giving a blessing; it makes it delightful. We have heard the phrase, “Give till it hurts.” I think there is another way. Done right, we can give until it delights. God is the great Giver. To learn to give is to come to know God in very special ways. All of us can come to experience delight as we begin to give, thankfully, generously, and simply.