Grace compels our gratitude. . . . We should give as much as we can, as soon as we can, with the hope that someday soon we will be able to give even more. This is an excellent way to test our spiritual progress, because what we do with our money shows where our priorities lie. Am I becoming more generous? If not, it is a sign of my spiritual poverty.” - Phil Ryken

God loves a cheerful giver. He delights in receiving the spontaneous offerings that flow from joyful hearts as expressions of trust and gratitude to God for what He has done and in who He is. Our giving is to be purposeful and according to our ability (Acts 11:27-30; 1 Peter 4:10, 11; 2 Corinthians 8:10-14). If you can’t give with the heart then check on your heart! If your heart refuses to make a vow, then ask the Lord to give you a spiritual cardiovascular check-up!

What kind of “graces” make us gracious? Consider the following:

• We have been delivered from guilt.
• We have been delivered from hell.
• We have gone from being enemies of God to being His friends.
• We have been adopted out of the devil’s family into the family of God.
• We have been delivered from the bondage of sin.
• We have glorious promises of full and final victory.
• We have God on our side.
• We have been promised a kingdom that will never end (therefore this makes it a great place for our investments!).
• We have been provided with all that we need to contribute; we serve an all-wise God who has already made a plan!
• We have experienced God’s power to meet our greatest need (see Romans 8:32).

Is your generosity:

1. cheerful?
2. spontaneous?
3. purposeful?
4. accorinding to your ability?
5. in response to His grace?