Cheerful Giving
Source – Pastor Austin Gardner
2Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Let’s be cheerful givers.
Giving can stir up more dissension and hurt feelings in the church than anything I know. People have been billed by their churches for their pledges. Pastors have coerced the people from the pulpit. Much giving has been guilt motivated.
But this is not God’s will. He states clearly here what He wants in regards to our giving.
Tithing was definitely a requirement in the Old Testament. In the New Testament you would hope that a Christian who has received grace would never want to do less than what others did under the law.
God has promised to bless givers. Luke 6:38 and many other verses tell us what He will do. He promised the Jews that if they would bring the tithes and offerings into the storehouse that He would open the windows of heaven to pour out on them a blessing so large they could not receive it.
I have seen Him do just that in my life many times over. I hope you get to experience His blessings on your life as you live in obedience also.
This passage is written about the “faith promise” offering that Paul was taking up to give to the poor saints in Jerusalem. In the middle of taking that offering he gives us some insight into God’s attitude about our giving.
He does not want us giving “grudgingly!” He does not want us to give because of the need-”necessity!” He wants us to give from our hearts. A real loving heart will be a giving heart.
For God so loved that He gave! John 3:16. He will work in your heart Philippians 2:13 and so He wants you to give as you decide and purpose in your heart.
He wants you to give cheerfully. He wants your giving to be an expression of your love for Him, His work, His church, reaching lost souls etc.
How are you giving? Do you give because you have to or because it is expected of you? Or do you give because you love Jesus and your giving brings joy to your heart?