I received this is email this morning from a radio program I listen to by Pastor David Jeremiah; I felt convicted to share it with ya'll.


So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7

The Flash Mind Reader is a popular online game that swept across the Internet when it was created a few years ago. While it is only an ingenious mathematical puzzle, it appears to read the player's mind--knowing exactly which geometric symbol the player is concentrating on.

While mind reading is the stuff of science fiction in the human realm, it is a reality in God's realm. For instance, Jesus knew what was in the hearts and minds of men (John 2:24-25; 13:11), and God has the ability to search and know individuals' hearts (Psalm 44:21; 139:23-24; Acts 15:8; 1 John 3:20). Because God knows what is in our heart, He knows the reasons we choose to give money: begrudgingly, unwillingly, out of obligation, out of fear, out of necessity, out of pride--or cheerfully, willingly, gratefully, and humbly. Jesus pointed out to His disciples that the amount one gives is not nearly as important as the reason and the proportion. The poor widow who gave her two small coins gave more than those who gave pridefully out of their wealth (Mark 12:43).

Give your next gift with the awareness that God sees and knows why you give.

The secret of true giving is the joy of the Holy Ghost.
Andrew Murray