July 6, 2023: God Loves Cheerful Givers!

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor 9:7, ESV)

How do you become a cheerful giver? Well, Paul asks the Corinthians earlier to prepare their offering in advance. By preparing your offering in advance, you can pray and hear God as to what to give. When you have heard from God, you give in confidence. You can look at your budget when you prepare in advance. When you prepare in advance to give, you will not give under pressure or compulsion. 
    
A cheerful giver is one who enjoys giving to others. They take pleasure in seeing others be blessed. A cheerful giver has a generous heart. Giving is not a problem for them. It is a joy. You become a cheerful giver by studying the generosity of God. When you see how generous God is, it makes you want to be a happy giver too. 
    
A cheerful giver also knows that God rewards our generosity bountifully. Therefore he gives in faith, knowing that God sees what we give in secret. A cheerful giver knows he will abound in every good work because the Word says, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” (2 Cor 9:9, NLT)
    
Check your heart next time you give an offering. Make sure you are becoming the cheerful giver God loves.