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)
Generous Father,
In my prayers I have often mentioned generosity because, in scripture, you often mention it. From my reading, I believe our having a generous heart is critically important to you. But that can lead us to giving as a sense of duty and obedience. And no doubt that is part of why we should give. But that alone does not address the fact that you want us to receive joy from giving. Cheerful giving is a two way street. You want us to be cheerful givers because you want us to experience joy from it. It took me a long time to learn this, but you have taught me the truth of this teaching. You have given me great joy in giving and being a part of your distribution system.
My prayer for these children is you teach this to them early in their lives. Teach them the pure joy that can come from giving by letting them experience that joy as they are generous in small things. But may their generosity then grow from having experienced that joy such that it becomes a part of their nature.
Amen
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