"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." (2 Corinthians 9:7 NLT, second edition)
How do you have the attitude God wants you to have when you give? It starts with your heart. God is a lot more interested in your willingness to give than he is in your wealth, because he’s interested in what’s happening in your heart when you decide to give.
The Bible says in 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’” (NLT, second edition). This verse talks specifically about four key heart attitudes you should have when you give.
1. Give thoughtfully. Don’t give impulsively. The most spiritual kind of giving is when you think about it and pray about it and make up your mind about it. Why? Because we plan anything that’s important in our lives. God wants your giving to be important and meaningful in your life.
2. Give enthusiastically. Don’t just say, “I have to give! If I don’t give God’s going to hit me with lightning or something.” Give because you know God’s going to do something big in your heart when you become a generous person.
3. Give voluntarily. Any time you’re pressured by a person to give, don’t give. God’s not going to bless it anyway. But every time you feel challenged by God to give, you’d better give.
4. Give cheerfully. Give with joy! One of the Greek words for offering is the word “hilarious.” God wants you to enjoy giving to him and to others.
Sometimes it’s a challenge to be cheerful when God’s challenging you to give. Whenever you feel that way, just remind yourself of the benefits of what God wants to do in our heart. Why be generous? It creates community. It defeats materialism. It strengthens your faith. It’s an investment for eternity. It blesses you in return. And, it makes you more like God.
Talk It Over
- What is your plan for your giving?
- How do you know the difference between feeling pressured to give and being challenged by God to give?
- How can you model cheerful giving for your family?
Special Offer: 40 Days of Community Devotional Book
Purchase Series: "Better Together - 40 Days of Community" Complete Audio Series
