A Generous and Joyful Heart
How many of you are grateful that Jesus didn’t go begrudgingly to the cross?
We’re told that he had the exact opposite attitude. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrew 12:1-2, ESV).
What was that joy set before him? It was you because he loves you so much. God didn’t have to hold the obligation over Jesus: “Son, if you don’t do this, I’m going to be very upset with you.” He didn’t grumble to God about it, “I guess, but this is going to hurt a lot.” No, he went for the joy set before him.
Now we’re called to walk in the same way as Christ. There’s a verse that I think fits perfectly for this. Although I’ve most often heard it used in sermons about giving money, I think it applies to every area of life. “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Paul was not just talking about money here. God is not just about the money.
God cares about what we do and the kind of service we do. The way that we serve, the way that we worship, the way that we pray or tithe or care for one another — I think it’s really important how we do those things. Are we acting begrudgingly or with joy? Listening to the Holy Spirit’s directions and the attitude that we have while we serve or give or act is far more important than the amount of money we’ve given or the type of job we hold.
Let’s go through our days with a heart that wants to serve God out of love and generosity!
John Bailey is the Vice President of World Challenge Inc. and the Founding Pastor of The Springs Church in Jacksonville, Florida. John has been serving the Lord in pastoral ministry for 35 years, ministering the gospel in over 50 nations, particularly as a pastor and evangelist in Cork, Ireland.