2 Corinthians 9 and the Smalltown Poets

I heard a great Word at church this morning, which I'm sure I'll get to eventually in this post. I really am amazed at how the Lord works. I shouldn't be because I know that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever," (Heb 13:8) and He doesn't change. He loved me yesterday, He'll provide for me and meet my needs today, and He'll lead and guide me forever. I am a Christ follower, but I am so far from being anywhere close to perfect. I have my downfalls and shortcomings, I have my sins and daily struggles. But I really do believe that God is beginning to do a work in me in regards to giving and more specifically giving joyfully and with a cheerful heart. Our church is in the process of planting/birthing a daughter church. Last Sunday night Lori and I were at the plant meeting, we were towards the end and began sharing prayer requests and needs. There was a very serious financial need that someone brought up - they have close friend whose family is going through a difficult time and needs help. As we were praying I really felt God bring this need to the forefront of my heart. I felt like He was telling me that He wanted me to not only help, but do it in a very specific way. I couldn't get that off my mind the rest of the night. Monday at work it was on my mind all day, by the time I left work and was driving home it was still there, it kept coming back. Before I got home I had the opportunity to follow through and do exactly what I felt the Lord was telling me to do. I was praying asking the Lord to help me do this act cheerfully and I'm not sure that this prayer has been answered yet (if I'm being completely honest). Giving is one thing, but it's really only half of the equation, we should give with a cheerful heart at God's Word encourages us to do. Finally - fast forward to church this morning. The title of the message was "How Do I Give." I thought, wow, this is pretty appropriate to what I've been feeling this week. The message came out of 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, but three of the verses really stuck out to me. "(6)Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. (7) Each of you should give what you have decided in your own heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (8) And God is able to bless you abudantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." - 2 Co 9:6-8...Our pastor mentioned that godly people are giving people and we should give above and beyond (whether in reference to a tithe, a need, or anything else), so that we may experience the joy of giving. When it comes to giving, God calls us to to be generous, deliberate, and cheerful - those were the main points of his message this morning. We can't give or receive with clinched fists and white knuckles. The message, the scripture, the points all reminded me of an old Smalltown Poets song - appropriately titled, I'll Give. I'll leave with the chorus and bridge of this song being my final thoughts.
I'll give, I'll hold nothing;
I'll give, I'll hold nothing;
I'll give I'll hold nothing back
My hands are open so take what You see
and I'll keep nothing, hold nothing back from me
- I know this song is really more about giving to the Lord, but it comes full circle because giving is something the Lord asks of us. Lord, my You allow me to give generously, deliberately, and cheerfully in the days ahead.