By Pastor Elijah Mutiso
Associate Pastor, Fedha Church, Kenya Assemblies of God
Exodus 35:4.
Moses said to the whole Israelite community, “This is what the Lord has commanded:
5. From what you have, take an offering for the Lord. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the Lord an offering of gold, silver and bronze;
20. Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses’ presence,
22. All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewelry of all kinds: brooches, earrings, rings and ornaments. They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the Lord.
Willingness
Eagerness, readiness and happy to do something.
God is good and loving. He never forces us to himself. Even going to heaven...(whosoever) He seeks for the willing.
He always works with the willing
Willingness is therefore God’s first requirement
God owns everything. He is not in need so He appealed to their willingness not their amount.
He is more concerned with the motive rather than the amount.
Willingness is not about what you have but who you are. The condition of Your heart.
A willing heart is fully surrendered and yielded to God welling up in generosity.
Willingness is the heart of a true worshiper ... lover of God
1. Willingness is a test of love
You are willing to the extent we love. It is a measure of the sacrifice you are willing to pay
For ...God so ... loved ... gave ... begotten son ... the extent
A willing heart is a loving heart. What you don't love you will have no will for it.
What you love, appreciate and value, you are willing to sacrifice for it or pay any cost.
Willingness is a measure of love in your heart, it reveals how big your heart is for God.
No wonder God works with the willing because they love him and love doing his will.
When you are willing you give from the heart not from the hand.
We will and obey God with our heart out of love.
2 Corinthians 9:7.
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. Willingness defines you
Willingness is not about what you have but about who you are.
It reveals what type of a person you are. It distinguishes between a generous person and a stingy man not because of the amount they gave but because of Willingness.
Willingness is not about the quantity in your hand but the quality of your heart.
A willing person is a true worshiper, not a pretender.
He is ready and willing to give even he has nothing to offer. He will pledge na atoe (and honor his pledge).
He values the person he is giving more than the gift.
He has no excuse nor is He limited by his needs or his ability.
A willing person is ready to share generously whatever and however little it may be at his disposal. John 3:16 ... His only begotten son.
Willingness makes you ready to offer your best even before you are required to offer.
Willingness doesn't allow excuses, or limitations and is ready to sacrifice.
When you are willing nothing is too little to Share. Any time is okay and nothing is too precious to share.
1 Kings 17:12.
“As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”
13. Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.
Willingness is selfless, it is the essence of a worshiper, and it defines a true worshiper. A willing heart is a heart that freely desires to go above and beyond what is required or expected. Willingness is giving out your heart.
2 Corinthians 8:2.
In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
3. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,
5. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.
3. Willingness qualifies the gift
It is not the quantity of the gift that makes it valuable and acceptable but the heart that it gives.
Whatever you give willingly is appreciated and accepted.
Willingness is the quality of the gift.
2. Corinthians 8:12.
For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
It is not the amount you give that matters but the heart that gives
4. Willingness makes giving joyful
Giving is such a struggle to many believers. But when willingness is there, it becomes a delight to give and God delights in it. That is when giving becomes a blessing.
How you give is more important than what you give. Willingness makes us enjoy giving.
2 Corinthians 9:7
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.
5. Willingness yields passion and satisfaction
When people are willing they do it with passion and love.
Sio kusukumwa wanajisukuma wenyewe (Not being pushed but are able to push themselves).
Some are doing it ... wacha nirushe kakitu juu tumesukumwa sana (let me contribute something because we have being pushed too much).
Willingness grants us wholeheartedness.
Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.
God wants us to be willing and not feel obligated.
1 Chronicles 29:
9. The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.
17. I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you
Those who love GOD rejoice to give willingly, with their whole hearts, offering freely and joyously
Have this Revelation
It is a willing spirit that tastes the joy of his salvation (Psalm 51:12),
Isaiah 1:19-20 (King James Version)
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land
Some people are giving as a duty like Cain
Juu tunatoa pia unatoa ama juu tumeisema sana? (We are giving but are you going to give because it has been repeated to you too much?).
God is not impressed by duty but willingness.
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