Deuteronomy 15:10 (NIV) says, “Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to”. I have been helping a student to meet his expense for education and hostel accommodation for last six years; it gives me immense joy to help the needy. But very unfortunately I was not in a position to meet his fees last time around; I was in no mood to say “no” to the boy, who is so much assured that I will help him to pay his fees. It was during this time I prayed to God, Lord I don’t want to ditch the boy this year, give me your wisdom to help him. That was the time, God motioned me to write a email to few of my select friends who could contribute to get the fees paid. Within a day of my email, I had exactly the amount the boy required to pay all his fees. Oh what a wonderful God we serve! It was this time God showed, if you have a generous heart, even if you have nothing; God will show us a way to meet our demands. A hearty helper is one whom God loves. He will never shy away from blessing the generous helper.

         2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “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’. Couple of years back, I was working in UK and I managed to find a missionary Church who showed Christ’s love to every congregation member. When I attended the first service I made a vow to God, Lord every week I would double my offering amount and give to the needy Church and People. God really helped to keep my vow, and till my return every week I was able to separate my offering amount and gave to people and ministry. No matter what people say about this vow I made, I had great joy in giving to God and felt His love and blessing endures forever. Let me list down the blessing on my return, our Church and my home was built and to crown the blessings, God blessed me with family life. Oh what a cheerful God who blesses His cheerfully giving children.

         Deuteronomy 28:8 says, “The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land He is giving you”. Yes the word is true; there are countless stories that can be said about how God blesses His children. The classic example is my favourite man of God – Abraham. Abraham had no piece of land when he was called out of his family to be a blessing to a chosen Nation. Here we see Abraham forgoing his family for the calling of God. He was not reluctant but He knew it was God who has called him. That’s the reason God made three promises (about Land, Nation and Spiritual) to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3 (The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you).

To summarize, below are the three blessing of Abraham,

1. The Land Promise: “A land that I will show you.”
2. The National Promise: “A great nation.”
3. The Spiritual Promise: “All the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

And as you know, all three above promises have come to pass!

         My dear readers, do not worry about your financial situation; be a cheerful giver and bless the needy. God will help you in the time of needy. As the psalmist says in Psalms 41:1, “Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the LORD delivers them in times of trouble”. No matter what situation we are in, a heart that has concern for others will always be honoured by God. God will in deed help in time of need of a hearty giver!

         In this New Year, I would urge you to be a cheerful giver just not to Church but to the needy. As we read in Bible, the early Christians provided for the fellow believers who were in need. There was feeling of social/financial security and loving relationship with the first Century Christians. How great it would be if we can bring the early Church scenario; showing to the world that we Christians belong to one body of Christ. A hearty giver is eternally blessed by God. Be a blessing to all. 

God Bless