Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV Bible
Years ago, I went on a mission trip with our church's youth group to a neighboring poor country. The vast majority of those who went were helping to build cinder block homes for those who had been previously living in temporary housing made out of wood pallets. They used to have frequent fires in those pallet communities, because they would string lights from pallet shack, to pallet shack, like people string Christmas lights, and the pallet shacks would burn down. They were absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to live in a one room, 12 x 16 foot cinder brick house, smaller than most of our front rooms, that would allow them to be safe from the fires!
It was a very inspiring trip! I gave of my money to go there, and my time, but was I truly giving? Sadly to say, I wasn't. Toward the end of this mission trip, some of the other members of our church that participated, and some of the youth, decided to leave some of their belongings behind for the people of this poor community. They had seen how the families used a barrel of water for all their family's water needs, like: drinking, cooking, washing hands, washing laundry, and bathing. They eagerly awaited the next week, when the rickety water truck, would come and deliver fresh water. Our church learned this the hard way. Some of the teens and adults had been washing the cement off their trowels, until the future owner of the home reluctantly came out and explained how this harmed his family's water supply.
After witnessing this, and so many other things from these very giving people who gave so freely of what little they had, we wanted to share with them. It was a wonderful idea, and I was proud of the teens, who thought of it! I went to my suitcase, and took out most of my things, and clothes, but I looked at one nightgown, and decided not to include it, because it was my favorite. Then, the Holy Spirit weighed heavy on my heart, when I realized how selfish I was being. When Jesus Christ gave His life on the cross for me, and for you, He didn't say, I'm willing to give of what feels comfortable to me, but I'm not so sure about risking My life. He willingly gave all for us! But I wasn't willing to give my favorite nightgown! I had become a Reluctant Christian, and I hadn't even realized it! After prayerful contemplation, I went through my suitcase again, and set aside to donate everything that I didn't need for our trip home, including my favorite night gown. Sure, I ended up giving it to others, but I'm very ashamed with how reluctant I was to part with a worldly thing!
