Willing Hands, Willing Hearts
I am reading “Emma” by Jane Austen, for the first time, though I am familiar with the story. As I was trying to come up with a proper topic for this post, Emma’s own, very faulted, personality reminded me vividly of something that I struggle with. Something that we all struggle with, I dare to say.
Emma does much good in her society, and to her friends. However, her motives are often selfish. For the wrong reasons. And often when she has the chance to do something truly noble, she doesn’t—in the same spirit. Self overcomes.
Sound familiar? Do we ever have willing hands…but grudging hearts?
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
[2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NIV]
That, I think, is a convicting passage. We, as Christians, are not only called to have willing hands…but willing hearts. We are not called to give “reluctantly, or under compulsion.” In fact, we are told NOT to give when our hearts are under those conditions! As an example in my life, my sister and I have often been involved in volunteer work (though sometimes our parents volunteered us!). It’s a constant struggle with my heart to be sure that my spirit matches my smile.
Of course, we can’t help it if we don’t enjoy the tasks of our hands.
But isn’t that about growing close to God? We become more like the people we hang about with.
God loves giving of Himself.
Many of us have habits of giving of ourselves already.
Perhaps, after all, we should be spending more time with God, so that our hearts are always invested in the giving, and not just our hands.
Because:
“The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
[1 Samuel 16:7 NIV]
Filed under: Conviction
This is so SO good!
Your words spoke right to my heart, as I tend to struggle with serving with a willing heart as well. The verses you shared opened up this subject beautifully, and I have never really looked at them in this light until now.
Thank you so much for your encouragement!
Wow, how true and how easy it is to fall under our own radar sometimes. Thanks for posting this and keeping me in check for at least another day. I pray that we will all have the strength to give our hands AND our hearts to God when we serve others in His name.
-Bee-
Thanks for posting that- it was really helpful. I’m struggling with giving everything to Christ right now, so it was what I needed to hear/read. Thanks for taking the time to put it down into words so that others could benefit from your find!