Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
I’ve heard of a pastor who doesn’t take offerings. They don’t pass the plate. They don’t even have a time of offering anywhere in the worship service. They don’t have offering plates. Instead they have a series of boxes scattered around the worship space called Joy Boxes.
These boxes are places where people bring their praise to God through joyful offering of their treasures. Make no bones about it these are what we call offerings but they are done way different than most of us are used to seeing. You see the biggest difference is what happens when someone praises God through their offerings. Most people in our modern context will give out of compulsion or to help pad the church budget a bit. But in this case people give out of joy for what God has given them.
When people place their offerings in the Joy Boxes, they generally will give out a loud “Woo Hoo!” This is an act of praise and worship to God. It’s astounding to see (and hear!) the joy in people’s hearts as they give back to the Lord. These people get it! They get what generous living is really all about.
Today look around you for ways to give God your worship and praise. As you prepare for Sunday worship, pray about what God would have you praise him with this Sunday. Maybe the church you go to doesn’t have a Joy Box but you can still give out a loud “Woo Hoo!” when you write out your offering check or when you set aside that portion of your income as your praise to the Lord.
You see there is joy in generosity when our giving is a response to what we’ve been given. When our giving lacks joy, it’s because we lacked the perspective that God gave generously to us FIRST! But when you give back to God because you’ve recognized His gifts to you, your joy overflows!
God loves a cheerful giver. Give whatever you can of your time, talents, and treasures but do it with joy in your heart in response to the wonderful gifts God pours out on you! God can do amazing things with gifts given out of love for what He first gave us. Be Joy-filled Today!
Prayer
Generous God – I want to be joyful with my offerings. Help me to see all that you’ve given me today. Highlight your gifts to me so I can’t miss even one of them. Then open my heart to return my praise to you with JOY! AMEN – WOO HOO!
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