Discovering Love: Cheerful giving comes from love

There are many ways to give, though we usually only hear about money. Of course, money is needed to pay for expenses. But consider:

Those who are there to be willingly used for their time, talent, and enthusiasm are also givers.
Those who donate blood or platelets are givers.
Those who make food or repair teddy bears for refugee children are givers.
Those who take people to medical appointments and stay to hold their hand are givers.
Those who clean out their closets and donate "fat clothes" or "skinny clothes" are givers.
Those who are kind and uplifting are givers.
Those who enable others to give are themselves participants in giving.
Those who make chicken soup for a sick friend are givers.
Those who volunteer their professional or organizational skills are givers.
And yes, money counts. But it's not love. Doing and Being are Love.

They are CHEERFUL givers — no one is pressuring them, because it's the state of their hearts.

Governor Katie Hobbs,
Christy K Robinson

Recently, I was helping at a Thanksgiving meal cooked and served to indigent seniors. People had donated money toward groceries, and some had brought whole roasted turkeys or hams, and huge pans of mashed potatoes or dressing or vegetables. One man brought large pies from the Costco bakery where he works. All brought their gifts of hospitality and service to others. And into our midst walked the Arizona's governor, Katie Hobbs, without a press team or video cameras or even letting our team know she'd be coming to help. She was dressed in a black shirt and khaki slacks, with her hair up in a ponytail, there to help serve the food, and to talk with the people who came to enjoy a delicious feast. Gov. Hobbs has a Master of Social Work degree and worked in that field for years before she served in the state legislature, as Secretary of State, and then Governor. She's a cheerful giver!

Why does God love a cheerful giver? Because God is Love, he is compassionate and merciful, and gives and forgives (Exodus 34:6). When we do similar acts (the Golden Rule), we show that we are his children and we look like our Abba. Yes, God loves all people, when they're naughty and when they're nice. But I believe that we can give him joy, and we can expand his heart when we make him proud.

It's a circle. God loves us, and we make others feel loved, which turns our faces back to the source of love. But it's not a closed circle. Givers are all about inviting you to share your presence and your love in the circle.

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