2co 09v07 As He Purposeth In
His Heart
"...AS HE PUROSETH IN HIS HEART ..
"
II Cor. 9:7
Happy is the sight of a man
who has a purpose in his heart! The man who purposes something in his heart
plans for it; he makes whatever sacrifices are necessary to accomplish the
purpose of his heart; and he will not be turned aside from the purpose of his
heart.
This was Paul's rule for Christians in their giving.
"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not
grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." Paul tells
us that we are not to compel men to give that which they would prefer to keep
for themselves. The legal precept of tithing requires a man to pay his tenth to
the church, whether he really wants to or not. Such a doctrine is totally
contrary to the free-spirit of the gospel. God's children give freely. We count
it one of our highest privileges on this earth to give of our means to the work
of the gospel. What a privilege it is for a redeemed sinner to provide food for
a missionary's table!
Yet, the believer should not be careless and
haphazard in his giving. He should give according to the purpose of his heart.
This means two things - First, we should give with a cheerful heart. And,
second, we should plan to give. That is to say, we should plan our financial
affairs so that we can give to the work of the gospel. If I have a dependable
car, or a comfortable house, I ought not trade that car for a newer model, or
trade that house for a more luxurious one, if in doing so my ability to give to
the work of the gospel is hindered. It is infinitely more important for me to
give of my means to the preaching of the gospel than it is for me to improve my
social standing.
Are you ready to give? Am I? Let us give freely,
cheerfully, abundantly, and sacrificially. If we are constrained to do so, our
constraint is not a legal one, but ours is a constraint of love. Knowing the
love of Christ for us, we "prove the sincerity of our love" to him by
giving from a willing heart. Let us purpose in our hearts to give, for Christ's
sake.
We give Thee but Thine own,
Whate'er the gift may be;
All that we have is Thine
alone,
A trust, O
Lord, from Thee.