2 Corinthians 9:7
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.
I think the secret to this kind of giving is prayer. The Holy Spirit can help me to be peaceful if I am apprehensive or uncomfortable with what I am giving. The phrase "decided in your heart" does not exclude seeking direction from the Holy Spirit. Thinking back, I know this is an area where I mess up. I get apprehensive about following through with a gift, and so I decide against it by doing nothing. This has likely been the wrong decision 99% of the time. But it is the easiest, and the "safest". This simple verse has taught me a big lesson today.
Holy Lord, I will try to remember to come to you for direction when I am struggling over giving a gift. You will be able to help me see more clearly and have the peace which comes from being a cheerful giver. Amen
Becky, transforming
2 Corinthians 9:7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. I would never describe myself as a cheerful giver. I have always given out of his sense of responsibility. I am certainly not a reluctant giver either. I always knew my pledge would be used for the good of the people and the church. We have always tried to be generous in our giving as our own circumstances grew. This morning as I read chapter 4 of Mike slaughters book, I read this: “the resources that God uses to multiply miracles to meet peoples needs comes from our hands. When we…
Friday,
December 9th, 2022
2 Corinthians 9:7
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
This particular scripture is used in some way in almost every sermon or lesson on giving, tithing or generosity. We should never be embarrassed if we can only gift a little. It is the faithfulness and commitment to God that determines our giving. God knows our hearts better than we do. The second truth about giving in this verse is : God loves cheerful givers. It should never be more than what we have . It should be in proportion to what we have received. The important point is that i…
2 Corinthians 9:7
This verse has been the centerpiece of countless “Stewardship Sunday” sermons. At some level, the people in the pews are hearing this message. Statistics have repeatedly shown that those who regularly attend worship services and/or profess faith in God consistently give more to charities of all types than non-believers. We give (and love) because God first gave (and loved) us. Giving is a response, a “thank you,” not a means to an end. How often do we say thank you with a scowl or sour attitude? Our cheerful thank you to God, manifested by our reflecting God’s generosity to us is yet another source of joy on this side of heaven.
Prayer - Giving God, thank You…
2 Corinthians 9:7 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.
Cheerful giving of our time, money or just a smile and a hello that is given in the spirit of the Lord is what this verse says to me. As long as I give with my heart that is filled with the joy and grateful thanks for all Jesus has done for me is what is asked of me in this verse.
Dearest Lord, thank you for all the wonderful things you have given to me in this life to enjoy. Your wonderful gift of grace and love gives me such a…