Cheerful Giving, Cheerful Living
05/30/2025
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
— 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)
There’s something beautiful about a gift that’s given with joy. Whether it’s a child offering a crayon drawing to their parent, or a friend surprising you with coffee just because, it’s not the cost of the gift that touches the heart, but the spirit in which it’s given.
In today’s verse, Paul reminds the church at Corinth, and us, that God doesn’t just care about what we give. He cares about how we give. The heart behind the hand matters more than the hand itself.
Paul was encouraging the believers to support the work of the church and help fellow Christians in need. But he didn’t want them to feel forced, pressured, or guilty. Instead, he pointed to a higher way: giving from a place of joy, faith, and love. Because when our giving flows from gratitude rather than obligation, it reflects the heart of our generous God.
Imagine for a moment you’re at a birthday party. Two people bring gifts. One says with a scowl, “Here, I had to get you something,” and hands it over. The other beams, saying, “I couldn’t wait to give you this!” Which gift means more?
God’s not keeping score of dollars and cents. He’s looking for hearts that mirror His generosity. After all, He gave us the greatest gift of all, Jesus, freely and joyfully.
When we give cheerfully, we not only bless others, we ourselves are changed. Our grip on our stuff loosens. Our trust in God grows. Our perspective shifts from scarcity to abundance. And our lives begin to echo the rhythm of Heaven, where giving is always an act of love.
Here are a few things you can do to help on your journey.
Reflect on your current attitude toward giving. Is it joyful or reluctant?
Set aside a moment this week to give, whether time, money, encouragement, or help, without expecting anything in return.
Pray and ask God to make your heart more generous and cheerful in all forms of giving.
My challenge for you is this:
Find one opportunity to give today, intentionally and joyfully. Whether it’s picking up the tab for a coworker’s lunch, blessing someone with a kind note, or supporting a ministry, do it cheerfully and thank God for the chance to give.
Father, thank You for being the ultimate Giver. You have given me grace upon grace, mercy unending, and the greatest gift, Jesus Christ. Help me to give like You, freely, cheerfully, and with love. Change my heart where it’s selfish or reluctant, and fill me with joy in every opportunity to bless others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
— 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)
There’s something beautiful about a gift that’s given with joy. Whether it’s a child offering a crayon drawing to their parent, or a friend surprising you with coffee just because, it’s not the cost of the gift that touches the heart, but the spirit in which it’s given.
In today’s verse, Paul reminds the church at Corinth, and us, that God doesn’t just care about what we give. He cares about how we give. The heart behind the hand matters more than the hand itself.
Paul was encouraging the believers to support the work of the church and help fellow Christians in need. But he didn’t want them to feel forced, pressured, or guilty. Instead, he pointed to a higher way: giving from a place of joy, faith, and love. Because when our giving flows from gratitude rather than obligation, it reflects the heart of our generous God.
Imagine for a moment you’re at a birthday party. Two people bring gifts. One says with a scowl, “Here, I had to get you something,” and hands it over. The other beams, saying, “I couldn’t wait to give you this!” Which gift means more?
God’s not keeping score of dollars and cents. He’s looking for hearts that mirror His generosity. After all, He gave us the greatest gift of all, Jesus, freely and joyfully.
When we give cheerfully, we not only bless others, we ourselves are changed. Our grip on our stuff loosens. Our trust in God grows. Our perspective shifts from scarcity to abundance. And our lives begin to echo the rhythm of Heaven, where giving is always an act of love.
Here are a few things you can do to help on your journey.
Reflect on your current attitude toward giving. Is it joyful or reluctant?
Set aside a moment this week to give, whether time, money, encouragement, or help, without expecting anything in return.
Pray and ask God to make your heart more generous and cheerful in all forms of giving.
My challenge for you is this:
Find one opportunity to give today, intentionally and joyfully. Whether it’s picking up the tab for a coworker’s lunch, blessing someone with a kind note, or supporting a ministry, do it cheerfully and thank God for the chance to give.
Father, thank You for being the ultimate Giver. You have given me grace upon grace, mercy unending, and the greatest gift, Jesus Christ. Help me to give like You, freely, cheerfully, and with love. Change my heart where it’s selfish or reluctant, and fill me with joy in every opportunity to bless others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
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