God Loves a Cheerful Giver 2 Corinthians 9:7

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth, “He which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully”, and in chapter nine and verse seven of Second Corinthians, Paul tells the church members how, “God loves a cheerful giver” where we read:

Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give;

not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.

The verse begins, “Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give;” Paul began with the words, “every man” which means “each and all people whether male or female” “according as” or “just or even as and in proportion and degree that” “he purposes” which means “the person brings forward, chooses and prefers” “in his heart” or “in the person's soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes and endeavors”, “so let him” which means “allow the person to” “give” or “grant, supply and bestow”. Paul directed the church members to “give” according to that which was in their “soul and mind”.

The verse continues, “not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.” Paul added the words, “not grudgingly” or “without sorrow, pain, grief, annoyance or affliction”, “or of necessity” or “neither for imposition, calamity, distress or straits” “for God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “loves” or “welcomes, entertains, is fond of and is well-pleased with” “a cheerful” which means “a joyous and prompted to do anything” “giver” or “bestower”. Paul recognized the way a person within the church was to give - “without sorrow,pain, imposition or restraint” and to do so “cheerfully”.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see his direction toward “giving” in the church. Those who desire to support the ministry should not do so with a “sorrowful or afflicted” “heart”, but should do so “with joy and cheer”. In other words, the Lord Jesus loves a “happy” giver. Those who understand that everything belongs to the Lord, and any of their possessions are provided by Him, become some of the most cheerful givers the world has ever seen.

Next time Paul tells the church members, “God is able to make all grace abound toward you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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