Be a Cheerful Giver

Reflection by Mark Brooks

When the offering plate is passed in church do you groan or laugh? 2 Corinthians 9:7 reads, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” What is interesting about the word used here for cheerful is that we derive our word hilarious from its root. So, in essence Paul is saying God loves a hilarious giver. Are you a hilarious giver? Or are you a groaning giver?

You might be thinking, doesn’t God love everyone? Of course He does. However, Paul is saying that He particularly loves those that give cheerfully. It is not that He loves others less it is simply that there is a special love for a giver who is cheerful in the giving.

What are the steps to becoming a cheerful giver? I think first it comes down to a principle of love. When we truly love someone we will cheerfully give to support them or help them. Our love for God should create within us cheerfulness as we give.

When we truly are in love with God then our giving is not reluctant or under compulsion. Here at Woodland, we encourage people to give. We want you to give not because you feel guilted into giving or that you feel trapped. We want your gift to be an act of love. A gift given in love is the key to becoming a cheerful giver.