Giving Challengeნიმუში

You Can Give Happily

Have you ever felt forced into buying Girl Scout cookies out of guilt? Maybe it’s a coworker and you don’t want to seem rude or unsupportive, but inside you think, “Ugh. I have to give because they asked me."

Now imagine supporting a child in your life, and helping them financially go on a mission trip or afford a special class trip. Your love for them compels you to give, and you eagerly await seeing pictures and hearing about their experience. In both scenarios you gave. But the heart posture was different. One felt forced, while the other felt thankful for the opportunity and willing!

God cares about how we give just as much as what we give. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 9:7 that God loves a cheerful giver. The Greek word translated as “cheerful” is the same root from which we get the word “hilarious.” In other words, God loves it when our giving overflows with joy so much that it’s contagious.

When we give happily, we reflect the heart of Jesus. He didn’t go to the cross begrudgingly but joyfully, knowing His sacrifice would bring life. Giving happily doesn’t mean it’s always easy; it means we’ve shifted our perspective. Instead of asking, “What will this cost me?” we start asking, “What joy can this bring to others?”

Generosity doesn’t deplete us. It actually refreshes us. Proverbs 11:25 reminds us, "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed" (NIV). In God’s economy, the more you give, the more you find yourself filled with joy, peace, and purpose.

You don’t have to wait for a special occasion or a big moment to practice cheerful giving. It can be as simple as buying coffee for someone. When giving becomes something we do gladly instead of grudgingly, we experience the abundant life Jesus promised.

Challenge:
Do one act of cheerful giving today. As you do, pay attention not only to how it blesses the other person, but also to how it fills your heart with joy.