We live in troubled times marked by natural disasters, war, famine, poverty and more. All you need to do to see the suffering around us is open your eyes, you just can’t miss it. I think most people recognize worthy causes and are happy to help where they can. And if you are truly a disciple of Christ, then giving to those in need is not an option, it’s a way of life.

“God loves a cheerful giver.” – Bible or Not?

Today’s quote is not about what you give, it’s about how you give. Attitude is everything, and as we support the causes that are near and dear to us let us do it with a smile. Whether it be tithing to the church, supporting orphans, feeding the homeless, sending in money for disaster relief, or whatever, giving should be a joy and not a burden. After all, didn’t Jesus say to give and it will be given you over flowing?

The Bible is repleat with teachings on charity, generosity, grace and all manner of giving. And, yes, today’s quote is among them. Here is the full Bible verse:

“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 (New King James Version)

Related Quotes:

Whatsoever You Do to the Least of These You Do Unto Me
God and Karma
The More We Share the More We Have

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.

Could this possibly be a Bible quote? Salvation is like running in a race, but only one receives the prize, so run as hard and swift as you can so you can be saved. Knowing this, that all those who compete for God’s grace must exercise discipline and self control. Is this true? Could it really be from the Bible?

Yes, this is from the Bible but I have taken it out of context. You see, without context many a verse can be misunderstood or misrepresented. Let’s look at the whole point.

In his letter to the Corinthians the Apostle Paul is quoted as writing:

“And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things”. – 1 Corinthians 9:25a NKJV

As Jesus did, and as many preachers and teachers do today, Paul was appealing to familiar situations to use as analogies to spiritual principles. In this case he used the training and competition of a race in contrast to a life lived in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In that day, as today, those who compete in a race discipline themselves and train rigorously to compete for the prize. Look at the recent Tour de France. The hours and days and years of hard training and sacrifice with the hope of winning the title and trophy. People throughout time have sacrificed much for such opportunities. This was Paul’s set up, and here is his pivot point:

“Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown”. – 1 Corinthians 9:25b NKJV

His point? People will work so hard for a prize, i.e. crown, but it’s a crown that is not certain and if you do win it’s a crown that doesn’t last. Yes, Lance Armstrong has won 7 Tour d’ Frances, but his time is over and the prize is no longer his. In time, the trophies on his shelf  will grow old and decay. And one day he will grow old and pass from this life. And what good will his trophies do for him then?

So Paul continues: ”Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified”. If we would be willing to put so much effort into natural things which do not last, why would we not be willing to put even more effort into those things that last forever.

Yes, by grace we are saved, but it is by our works that we glorify God. And by exercising ourselves unto godliness, we will find ourselves fully equipped for this life and the next.

I really like this as a Bible or Not quote: it really sounds Biblical, but you never know…

Have faith in God; God has faith in you.

Does God really have faith in us? 1 Corinthians 10:13 states:

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

Not only is God faithful to hold us during trying times, times when we seem to be at our weakest and can’t make another day, but he also has faith in us that we will hold onto our faith in such times. When you are faced with temptation, think about it this way: “Wow! God allowed me to be in this situation and therefore he trusts me to do the right thing in it.”

Yes, God has faith in you, and me. It’s not in the Bible, but when Edwin Louis Cole said it he knew what he was talking about. What do you think? Does God really have faith in humankind?