Giving is love, not legalism

Suppose I came to my wife on Valentine's Day, pulled out a bouquet of yellow roses, which are her favorites, and said, "Happy birthday!"

She would say, "How beautiful the roses are! Thank you! You shouldn't have spent so much money."

I would formally respond to her joy: "Don't thank me. Today is Valentine's Day and, as your husband, it is my duty to bring you a gift."

How would she feel then?

She would probably be ready to crush every rose on my nose!

Now suppose I did the same thing, but instead I said, "The best thing I can do with my money is use it for you, because I love you so much."

The same amount of money. The same gift. But one gift is motivated by law, and the other by love. And motivation makes all the difference.

Likewise, God wants you to give, not as a formality for what is needed or as an obligation, but as an outpouring of your love for Him.