A Cheerful Giver?

Have you ever gotten a gift from someone and you could tell the person put absolutely no value in the giving process? It was just the obligatory gift for whatever the special occasion was. Then, to make it even more awkward, they ask for it back? Huh? That's kind of embarrassing. You wished they never gave it in the first place! How nice. What was the point of that?

Years ago I attended a church that began a tradition of congregational applause whenever they would collect the offering. They would always refer to Paul's second letter to the church in Corinth,"God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7). Great lesson on giving. Although Paul was addressing the aid that the church gives to its servants, like himself, I wonder about the broader implication. It begs the question "What does God think about non-cheerful givers?" What about tight-fisted givers who felt forced to give?

And what about the gift itself?

What if we aren't merely talking about aiding our church monetarily with our tithes and offerings unto God. What about our other forms of worship? I don't just mean our corporate singing or praying. What about our talents and abilities? The everyday moments we live out before God and man? What about how the decisions we make, things we say and do, things we don't say and do? Are we still that cheerful giver?

Paul goes on in 2 Corinthians to talk of the benefits in our giving, "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion." If we do things sparingly, if we give to others, ascribe worth to God, love and live life sparingly, then what we get out of this "giver-receiver" relationship will reflect the same. Something very sparse. But if we do things generously, if we give to others, ascribe worth to God, love and live life generously, Cha-CHING! God brings about a generous harvest.

Givers, our corporate and private worship experience should be no less! God loves a giver, a sower, a worshiper who doesn't hold back or who isn't forced to participate out of duty or obligation in the process. With no strings attached to the gift of worship. No self-awareness in the giving. Only aware of the Receiver receiving.

Christ Above Me

I have to admit I don't know much about the guy most of us know as Patrick, the Saint. I know it's not even close to St. Patrick's Day (March 17th). But I am reminded of a prayer he is credited to have written we refer to as the "Breastplate of St. Patrick."

I'm also reminded of a certain piece of music put to an adapted version of this 5th century prayer by 20th/21st century songwriters John Chisum and George Searcy called "Christ Above Me." If you ever get a chance to hear it, please do. Ask your local worship leader to look it up. I know there is a recording of it somewhere in this world. I just don't have one. I do have the printed music and learned it to teach our church a couple of years ago.

The text of the chorus is simple yet profound: "Christ above me, Christ below me, Christ within me ever guiding, Christ behind me, Christ before, Christ my love, my life, my Lord." What an amazing anthem of declaration. Christ is our central theme. It all revolves around Him. After singing/praying those words I ought to be tripping over Jesus in my life. How can I not. Lord forgive us when we do not. I only wish I could sing it to you through this blog. Maybe someday. But until then, Google the prayer. And the song. And meditate on the centrality of Jesus in all things. Let Him get totally intertwined in your life. Trip over Him.