The Grace of Giving

2Corinthians 8:12
12For if the willingness is there; the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

The apostle Paul encouraged the church of Corinth to give just as the Macedonians had given. But what the apostle Paul wanted to show was the 'grace of giving', the willingness to give with sincerity. Have you ever met someone who gave something but did so only out of obligation or because they were told to do so? What about one who gives because they want to give? There's a difference. One who does so out of obligation will not be happy about what they're giving and will likely complain about it. One who desires to give will do so with a smile and will not hold it over anyone. Remember, God looks at the heart. It's the heart behind the action that counts with the Lord. Anything done just because of obligation is robotic. No matter how much or how little one is able to give. If the desire to give is present, it will count in the Lord's eyes. If the willingness is not there, then the gift is not acceptable. Do you give with a willingness  because you want to?  Or do you give because you're obligated to do so? Has anyone presented you with something in the same fashion? How did it make you feel? Did it make you want to give back what was given to you because it seemed insincere? If it seems insincere to you, how do you think the Lord sees it? The Lord examines ALL motives. If you're going to give, do it with grace. No one can give as much as Jesus has given but it's a start.