Peter writes the following to church leaders: “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be” (1 Pet. 5:2).
Notice those final phrases: “Not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be.”
Peter continues by saying that they should be “eager to serve.”
Let that sink in.
God doesn’t want us to serve because we are required to, like students submitting half-hearted assignments. God wants us to serve willingly.
He cares about our motives.
He wants us to put our hearts into it.
This reminds me of 2 Corinthians 8–9, where Paul expresses his desire for the Corinthian believers to give to poor believers. But he is very careful not to pressure them with his authority so he writes, “I am not commanding you” (8:8). He knows that if he commands them, they may give out of compulsion.
Instead he encourages the Corinthians by using two examples: the Macedonian churches’ willingness to give and Titus’s desire to visit them. Regarding the Macedonian churches he says that they gave “entirely on their own” (8:3). And he mentions that Titus will be coming to them “with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative” (8:17). The Macedonian churches didn’t give out of an obligation mindset and Titus was not going to visit them because he was required to. Paul makes a special point of highlighting that both sincerely wanted to give and serve.
And then we find this crucial statement in the next chapter: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (9:7).
Have you ever heard a pastor or church leader encouraging or even commanding people to give a certain percentage of their income?
That is not what Paul does because that is not the type of giving that God wants.
How much should the Corinthians give? Whatever amount they decided in their heart to give.
In our giving we must avoid two pitfalls—giving because we feel forced to give and giving reluctantly or half-heartedly.
This is incredible stuff. The act itself is not good enough. God cares about the heart behind the act.
God wants us to give willingly and cheerfully.
Why?
Because “God loves a cheerful giver.”
Why?
Because God is a cheerful giver.
After graduating from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, I served as a high school Bible teacher in Asia. I enjoy traveling, writing, and playing the drums. My latest book focuses on Paul’s work as a tentmaker and what it means for today.
Good one, Les. Hopefully uncle & I have lived by this.