A Cup Of Coffee
Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 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.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
It is 5:30am at the Williams household, and one of the grandchildren is usually awake. With five grandchildren in the house, she, being the proactive one of the group, has figured out that if she is up first, she gets to take care of her shower and preparation without having the others clamor for the bathroom from the other four. The wife is usually up at that time as well, as she prepares their lunch and is generally the first to wake up.
However, this day was a bit different. I awoke at 4:30 because of an exhausting and mentally demanding day previously. So, what does one do when they are up early? I made her a cup of coffee. She prefers French Vanilla sweetened cream with two teaspoons of sugar, and she has a favorite cup of preference. As she exited the shower, she noticed the cup on the counter and expressed her gratitude with a “Thank you.” This small gesture sets a positive tone for the day, as I take pleasure in assisting her, and she appreciates the extra few minutes it affords her to relax before preparing the children’s lunch. “Thank you, Grandmom,” said the ten-year-old, followed by his siblings echoing his sentiment. And we are thankful to start the day.
We often express gratitude for the actions God has undertaken on our behalf, such as His unconditional forgiveness, His ability to create pathways where none seemed possible, and His timely provisions during pivotal moments in our lives that aided us through challenging periods. However, how often do we look for opportunities to forgive someone for their transgression or making a way for someone in trouble?
Jesus said to the disciples washing their feet, “And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” (John 13:14-15) Many interpret this passage to reflect the humility of Jesus, who, despite His divine nature, came to serve. However, it is important to note that the latter portion of this verse underscores I have given you an example to follow. It is about His leading by example and setting a clear expectation for us to follow.
Generosity is at the heart of a growing Christian’s faith. Reflecting on passages from 2 Corinthians, I recall my initial encounter with these scriptures, which occurred prior to the church's request for tithes and offerings. It took some time for me to fully understand this concept, but I am now appreciative that I have done so. Nonetheless, I also realize that that my initial interpretation of these verses was somewhat limited. A cheerful giver is one who gives freely and unconditionally simply because that is what God placed on their heart.
I remember churches that donate Thanksgiving dinners to the homeless or Christmas gifts to children in need. However, as I delved deeper into these verses, I realized that giving should not be confined to specific times of the year. It is a Godly mindset that goes far beyond being prompted at a certain time of year. It is driven by the guidance of the Holy Spirit that says, “Do this for someone,” regardless of need or situation. It is there we find the heart of God in our cheerful giving, and internally, we find a deeper meaning of the term "everlasting joy".
Giving is essential for fostering our spiritual growth and connection with God. It is important to recognize that giving more does not necessarily make one better. Additionally, giving less dies not indicate distance from Him. In fact, Jesus said of a poor widow who gave what little she had, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:43b-44) God values our heart for giving over what we give. That is why being cheerful matters. Let us never lose sight of this. How do you define “cheerful giving?” How can I follow Jesus’ example in serving and giving? What does it mean to give sacrificially, as the widow did in Mark 12? My prayer is we find ways to give cheerfully even if it is just making a cup of coffee. Amen.