2 Corinthians 9:7 - 'Thank Betty for donating an organ to our church.'

Years ago, Betty was an elderly widow in our church who was very generous and outgoing. She enthusiastically joined in the worship services, which at the time consisted of Christian CD's and lyrics printed in the bulletin.

However, Betty thought we needed an upgrade for worship. She found the perfect gift for our church: a used, electric Kimball organ. She went ahead and bought it as a loving donation to the church. Never mind that no one in our church played the organ. This was a small, home model. It didn't have the greatest tone, even for a Kimball.

But she was so thrilled to contribute something to the ministry of the church, and it deserved acknowledgement in the bulletin I typed up the next week:

"We want to thank Betty for donating an organ to our church."

Fortunately I corrected the "bulletin blooper" before it went to press.. 

When writing to the Corinthians about how much Christians should contribute, Paul wrote:
“'You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. 'For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.'” (2 Corinthians 9:7, New Living Translation, 2015)

Betty's organ never was used for a church service, but her selfless excitement wasn't forgotten.

It doesn't matter if it's a gift of money to a church or charity, or the gift of time given to a service group or a missions trip. God is more concerned about the cheerfulness of the giver than He is in the gift.

We cannot outgive you, God. Everything we have to offer is just returning what You gave to us in the first place. (1 Corinthians 4:7) But we ask you to give us something else. Well, a couple things... we need deepened gratitude for all that we've received, and cheerfulness in giving back to You. Amen.