When You Really Don’t Feel Like Obeying God

Paul said we are to give “not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (II Cor. 9:7). Some look at this verse and reason that if they have to push themselves or be challenged to give generously, then they might as well not give at all. That is wrong thinking.

Doing the right thing is not always easy because we are selfish and prideful. On one hand, we know what is right. On the other hand, our feelings pull us in a different direction. We all have that internal struggle. Jesus said, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt. 26:41). We are not robots. We are not computers. We are more complicated that that. We have emotions and a will as well as intellect that enables us to think rationally.

Here’s an example in the law of Moses. “If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again. If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden, and you would refrain from helping it, you shall surely help him with it” (Exod. 23:4-5). The usual feeling would be not to help an enemy. But God told the people to do the right thing even if they didn’t feel like doing it. Sometimes it’s a matter of duty more than feeling. And that doesn’t mean we necessarily have a bad attitude. It means we are human. Sometimes we have to push ourselves and even push ourselves hard to do what God said to do.

Jesus did. In the garden He prayed, “"O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matt. 26:39). That was just before He warned the disciples that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. If Jesus Himself dreaded obeying the Father, why should we think we won’t experience this hesitation?

Some commandments of God are harder than others. I think you would agree that withdrawing from a brother or a sister you really love is more difficult than loving and caring for your children.

So what should a person do if he hesitates about giving a generous amount to God? Give anyway. It certainly makes no sense for him not to give at all until he gets his feelings where they need to be. Otherwise, how could we grow as Christians? The answer to the problem is to do what Paul said in the first part of the exhortation. Don’t give grudgingly or out of necessity. Whether we do that or not is our choice, not an excuse.

Kerry

West End church of Christ • January 11, 2026