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2 Corinthians 9:7 - Insights on Cheerful Giving.

2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV) 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.  

INTRODUCTION

   To discover the joy of giving, imagine 
what it would be like next Christmas if no one in 
your family gave you anything. Ditto for your 
birthday.  
   These examples just go to show how 
valuable giving really is. Imagine how foolish you 
would feel for doing any of the above. In a way, 
this is what the Corinthians were guilty of. They 
had made a commitment to give an offering, but 
when it came time to give, they changed their 
minds. This presented Paul with an opportunity to 
talk about giving and to hold the Corinthians 
accountable.  
   It is so easy for us to promise to give 
to the church or other Christian causes. But 
when it comes time to write out the check, our 
enthusiasm can quickly dwindle.  
   To avoid such situations, there are four 
steps you can take to maintain your enthusiasm 
when you give. First, realize that how you give 
matters more than how much you give. An attitude of 
cheerful giving is more important than the amount 
given. Second, budget for giving. Control your 
spending habits so that after you give to God, you 
will have enough left over to meet all of your 
financial obligations. That way you will not have to 
go back on your word in order to pay your 
bills. Third, realize that material wealth will not 
bring eternal satisfaction. Wealth can, however, 
be used to glorify God and lay up treasures in 
heaven, both of which will bring you eternal 
satisfaction. Fourth, give as a service to Christ, not as 
a way of obligating others to give back to you 
(otherwise it's not giving at all). If you promise to 
give, do it. If you can give anything at all, give 
it. The amount isn't the issue. The motivation 
and attitude is. [The One Year Through the Bible 
Devotional by Dave Veerman] 

COMMENTARY 

   Larry Stewart knew something about 
giving. But for twenty-five years, nobody knew his 
name. He was only known as Kansas City's Secret 
Santa. Stewart would simply walk up to a stranger, 
put $100 in their hand, smile, and say, "This is 
for you." 
   Over the course of his life, Stewart gave 
away well over $1 million. He often didn't have a 
plan for how to pass out his money. He'd go to a 
thrift store, the bus station, a Laundromat, or a 
fast-food restaurant and look for somebody in need. 
Then he'd go over, give some money (sometimes 
$1,000 at a time), and say, "God bless you." Those 
weren't empty words to Stewart. He knew God had 
blessed him, and he wanted to bless others. During a 
2006 interview with USA Today, Stewart said 
before he began giving away his millions, "Part of 
my daily prayer was, 'Lord, lift me up and let 
me be a better witness to you and for you and 
somehow reach more people.' I had no idea this is 
what he had in mind." Stewart died in 2007, but 
he inspired numerous others to give generously 
without expecting anything in return. 
   Part of being a follower of Jesus is 
giving. God has given us so much - forgiveness 
through his Son, a beautiful planet, family, 
friends, food, clothes (really every gift is from 
God). We reflect God's giving nature when we give 
to others. Plus, when we freely give, it shows 
we recognize God as Lord over everything we 
have. 
   Sometimes it's not easy to give. When we 
receive our allowance or a big check from Grandma, 
we might have something special we want to 
purchase for ourselves. But we should always give to 
God first. The Old Testament talks about God's 
people giving a tithe, or 10 percent of what they 
had, to God. But more than what we give, God 
cares about how we give. Second Corinthians 9:7 
says, "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." 
   Think about what you can give to God. You 
may not have a lot of money, but you can give 
your time or old toys and clothes to people in 
need. And as you give, make sure you do it 
cheerfully - that's the secret to giving. [Case For 
Christ For Kids by Les Strobel] 

ILLUSTRATION

   I feel like starting with the words the 
nurse says as she approaches your bed with one 
hand behind her back: "This won't take long, but 
it may sting a little." 
   Are you aware of what waiters and 
waitresses say about the Christians they serve? Do you 
have any idea how much they dread waiting on our 
tables in restaurants after church on Sundays? Or 
any other day when we go in groups with big 
Bibles under our arms? We gobble up the chow, 
asking for this favor and that, seldom pausing long 
enough to smile or say, "Thank you." That's bad 
enough, but then we leave a tip that is more of an 
insult than a generous expression of gratitude. 
   Just last week a waiter informed me that 
the place where he works has the toughest time 
getting a full crew to wait tables on Sunday. "We'd 
all rather work late Friday and Saturday nights 
week after week than work Sunday afternoons," he 
said. 
   When I asked why, he told me.
   "Because Christians are usually loud, 
they often lack good table manners, and they are 
stingy with the tips." 
   The waiter who spoke to me is a 
Christian. He's on our side. And he's embarrassed. Says 
he has a tough time talking to the crew about 
Christ after the place closes at night. They give 
him this cynical "You gotta be kidding!" 
response that comes after six or eight of Christ's 
followers walk away, leaving a tract and a dollar 
bill. Or maybe just a tract. Sometimes, neither. 
   If you're among the thoughtful, the 
gracious, the kind who leave a full 15 percent or 
more, keep it up. But if you're the type who falls 
into the tightfisted and less than thoughtful 
category, how about thinking of your witness as 
something more than a Bible in your pocket and words 
out of your mouth? Sometimes it's what comes out 
of your pocket after something has gone into 
your mouth . . . and I'm not referring to a 
tract. Listen: "It is possible to give away and 
become richer! It is also possible to hold on too 
tightly and lose everything. Yes, the liberal man 
shall be rich! By watering others, he waters 
himself" (Prov. 11:24"25, TLB). 
   C'mon, Christian, loosen up. If you can 
afford to eat out, you can also handle a healthy 
tip. Maybe all you needed was a shot in the arm. 
   There's no doubt about it. Actions often 
speak much louder than words. What are your 
actions saying? [Chuck Swindoll www.insight.org.] 

CLOSING THOUGHT

   One of my favorite Bible stories about 
cheerful giving is the story of the widow who put two 
mites into the Temple treasury. The cash value of 
her offering was extremely small, yet Jesus 
"called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, 
Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath 
cast more in, than all they which have cast 
[large amounts] into the treasury. For all they did 
cast in of their abundance; but she of her want 
did cast in all that she had, even all her 
living" (Mark 12:43, 44). 
   Her offering was recognized in heaven 
because her heart was in it. She was a cheerful 
giver. That is what God wants from each of us. He 
wants us to give from our hearts. More important 
than the amount is the spirit in which we give 
our offerings. 
   The very purpose of giving is to make us 
more like God the Father and Jesus the Son, who 
gave of themselves that we might be blessed both 
here and hereafter. God desires me to be a 
cheerful giver. [Walking With Jesus By Knight] 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE

2 Corinthians 9:6-8: Some Principles on 
Cheerful Giving. 
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2010/20100217-1541.html 

2 Corinthians 9:8: Grace and Giving. 
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2010/20100907-1511.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David 
DeRose, MD, MPH: 
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug 
Batchelor: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657