The Cheerful Giver and the Full Heart

Key Verses:

2 Corinthians 9:7: "Each one must do as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Psalms 37:4: "Delight yourself in the Lord; and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Proverbs 11:24: "There is one who scatters, yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, yet it results only in want."

God's Perspective: An Act of Worship. To God, giving is an act of worship. This is a powerful shift in perspective. It means that whatever you give to God, you do not lose. It is not just about singing hymns or lifting holy hands; giving to the less privileged, offering voluntary service, and honoring God with your substance are all profound expressions of faith and worship.

What Do You Give? We give thanks, we give our substance (money/resources), and we give our time by offering our service in the house of God and for humanity. "Honour the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce" (Proverbs 3:9). When you volunteer your services, you are giving to the Lord, not to impress man, but because you delight in Him.

How to Increase Your Capacity: You don't need to be coerced to give; you must give from your heart. The strength and capacity to give generously comes from a place of delighting yourself in the Lord, being excited about Him, and loving on God (Psalms 37:4). When you are fully delighted in the Lord, your heart is free to be cheerful. A cheerful giver is someone who gives out of joy, not obligation.

The Consequence of Withholding The Bible is clear: If you are a giver, you are increased on every side. Conversely, withholding what is due leads only to want (Proverbs 11:24). The one who is faithful to scatter his seed will experience an increase all the more.

Reflection:

1. Do you view your financial giving primarily as an obligation or an opportunity to worship God?
2. Read Psalms 37:4 again. How can you increase your "delight" in the Lord this week to flow from a place of excitement instead of compulsion?

A Prayer for Delight and Cheerful Giving

Heavenly Father, I thank You that giving is not a burden but a profound act of worship to You. I confess that I sometimes view my financial giving and service as an obligation rather than an opportunity to express my love and faith. Lord, change my perspective. Help me to truly delight myself in You this week—to find excitement and joy in Your presence and Your goodness, as promised in Psalm 37:4. Release my heart from any sense of grudging duty or compulsion, and instead, fill me with a cheerful spirit when I give my resources, time, and service. I commit to honoring You with the first of my substance, believing that as I cheerfully sow, You will increase me on every side. May my generosity always flow from a heart overflowing with delight in You. Amen.