One of the unfortunate caricatures of those who lived under the Law is that their service for God was drudgery. To be sure it was that for many but that was never God’s intent even in that ancient dispensation. God testified against Israel that His curses would track down His people and destroy them, in part, [b]ecause you didn’t serve the LORD your God with joy and a cheerful heart, even though you had an abundance of everything (28: 47). Jesus told us, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions” (Lk. 12: 15). What satisfies our creditors does not necessarily satisfy us. Wealthy and influential people still commit suicide everyday. Our possessions should make us more grateful but they don’t always do so.
What we hold in our hands is not nearly as important as what we hold in our hearts. The word “heart” appears forty-six times in the book of Deuteronomy. God is not looking for just dutiful obedience; He desires obedience from a cheerful heart. Since God looks at the heart of His servants He expects to find there the appropriate gratitude for our redemption.
God does not desire that we tithe like we are paying taxes. He does not wish us to witness as if we will be penalized if we don’t. He does not want us to come to church just because we think we have to. He does not want us to offer service only because we always have. God wants us to live for Him from a cheerful heart.
God knows that duty that is drudgery is doomed to decline. In a time of national crisis God’s people learned “your strength comes from rejoicing in the LORD” (Neh. 8: 10). Joy will keep us obedient when success is not immediate. It will propel us against seemingly invincible odds to stay faithful. When you loose the joy of service be careful – the service itself may end soon as well.