Each one of you should give just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver.
Into the Text
Charity is not an easy practice. While fasting requires a lot of discipline as we choose not to eat when we could or choose not to partake in something we have, charity is a true emptying ourselves of our resources. In this earthly life, we might not get anything in return.Â
The purpose of taking a season of fasting is to remember the sacrifice of Christ. We focus on removing distractions and things that pull us away from God. Then, we fill the emptiness we have intentionally created with Christ through prayer, reading Scripture, and practicing other spiritual disciplines. When we repent, we see the weight of our sins and the freedom we have been given in Christ.Â
Charity is an expression of this freedom we have in Christ. We are no longer bound to the worries of the world; we are free to trust God to meet our needs and provide for us. It is a way we express our gratitude for what Christ has done for us by giving back to Him. He has blessed us in so many ways, and through our giving we show that we recognize that it is all His anyway.Â
If our hearts are reluctant to give, let’s seek God and ask Him to show us why. Perhaps we’re concerned that we won’t have what we need. Perhaps we’re struggling with sin and a love of money. Whatever it is, God wants to reveal it to us. He can free our hearts from the love of money if we ask Him for it. His kindness is what leads us to repentance, and His kindness is what will lead us to give. When we believe in His mercy, kindness, and compassion, we see the value of charity and can give cheerfully.Â