“Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (II Corinthians 9:7-8)
Thoughts… Paul has been teaching the Corinthian Christians for two whole chapters now about the ministry of giving, and he gives some pretty clear guideline in these two verses as to how you can become the kind of giver in which God gets takes great delight.
First, you are to give with authenticity. No one should tell you how to give or how much to give—not even the preacher. “You are to decide” about giving, Paul says. You need to dig way down deep and come to grips about the ministry of giving, until it is a core value that drives your personal stewardship.
Second, you are to give out of heartfelt desire. Give because you really love God and want to demonstrate your love with a tangible expression of your devotion to him. Don’t do it because it will make you feel better, ease your guilt or make you look good. Don’t do it just because you feel pressured to do it, like the boy who misquoted the verse, “Each should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not repulsively or under convulsions.” Paul teaches you are to give because it’s what you want to do. Do it from a decided heart. If your gift doesn’t send the message of genuine desire, it won’t count.
Third, you are to give with delight. Why? “For God loves a cheerful giver.” A truly authentic and heartfelt giver will enjoy giving the gift. They don’t think of giving as a loss or a requirement or a burden, rather they think of the joy it brings and the love it communicates to the recipient. That’s what we’re told in Hebrews 12:2 about Jesus, our example of joyful generosity, “For the joy set before him, endured” the cross—the ultimate act of giving.
Fourth, you are to give expectantly. Paul teaches that when you give in a way that is pleasing to the Lord—authentically, from the heart, and joyfully, you can expect that God will make sure you always have plenty to give away: “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”
What a privilege it is to give back to God. When we get giving right, God makes sure we ourselves will abound in every good work.
Prayer… Lord, you are the Giver of all givers. You gave your best, you gave your all, you gave yourself. From the depth of my heart, I thank you. It is now my honor and joy to give back to you. May the sacrifice of my offerings be acceptable worship pleasing to you.
One More Thing… “Since much wealth too often proves a snare and an encumbrance in the Christian’s race, let him lighten the weight by ‘dispersing abroad and giving to the poor’, whereby he will both soften the pilgrimage of his fellow travelers, and speed his own way the faster.” —Augustus Toplady
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