While preparing remarks for this year’s University of Mobile Scholarship Banquet, I asked my friend and colleague Dr. Doug Wilson, dean of the School of Christian Studies, for information about how many times the word “giving” was used in the Bible. I was somewhat surprised to learn that “giving” is mentioned 2,172 times.
When someone asks me what I do, I answer that I get to tell people what God is doing at the University of Mobile. Recently, I had a conversation with a couple that felt compelled to support what the Lord was doing through our university. These committed friends of UM were adamant that everything they had – including their home, retirement and possessions – did not belong them, but to God. As I sat and listened to their hearts, I was inspired and encouraged by their story and desire to share what they had for our students.
I can’t stop thinking about this couple and their generous spirit. They were giving from their storehouses, not from what they had left over. They acknowledged that what they had been blessed with belonged to God, and they were being obedient to Him. For them, giving wasn’t a burden, but a blessing. Whenever I meet someone like this, I am reminded of my own predisposition to take credit for what I have.
2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Paul is writing this to the church at Corinth, but this scripture applies to us more than ever. Giving and giving generously is not just for those the world would consider wealthy. I believe that we are cheerful to give when we can truly acknowledge that what we have belongs to God, and acknowledge this truth not just in our speech, but in our hearts manifested by our actions.
Dr. Bruce Earnest, vice president in the Office for Advancement, said there are several important projects at the University of Mobile we are asking God to help fund. Please consider giving a tax- deductible donation at giving.umobile.edu, or contact our Office for Advancement at advancement@umobile.edu or 251.442.2587.
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