GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER

GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 9:7

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 9:7 — “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

Supporting Texts: Proverbs 11:24-25; Proverbs 3:9-10; Matthew 6:1-4; Mark 12:41-44; Acts 20:35; Philippians 4:18-19

Description: God delights in the believer whose generosity flows freely from a joyful, willing and grateful heart.

INTRODUCTION

God is not only interested in the gift we bring; He is deeply interested in the heart with which we bring it. Two people may give the same amount, yet their motives and attitudes may be completely different. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul reveals something remarkable about God's heart: “God loveth a cheerful giver.” This shows that God takes pleasure in generosity that flows from genuine willingness and joy.

Cheerful giving is not giving because we are forced, manipulated or afraid. Paul says that each person should give according to what he has purposed in his heart. The decision to give should therefore be intentional, personal and sincere. The cheerful giver understands that giving is a privilege and an expression of gratitude for God's goodness.

When God sees a cheerful giver, He sees more than money changing hands. He sees faith, love, gratitude, obedience and trust. Such giving becomes worship, blesses people, supports God's work and produces thanksgiving to Him. God loves the cheerful giver because cheerful generosity reflects the character of a generous God.

1. GOD LOOKS AT THE HEART OF THE GIVER

The value of giving is not determined only by the amount given. God examines the heart, motive and attitude behind the gift.

a. God Examines the Heart (1 Samuel 16:7) — While people often focus on outward appearance, God looks at the inner condition of the heart.

b. God Knows Our Motives (Proverbs 16:2) — God weighs the reasons behind our actions, including our giving.

c. God Desires Sincerity (2 Corinthians 9:7) — Giving should come from a heart that has genuinely purposed to give.

d. God Values Genuine Worship (John 4:23–24) — God desires worship that is sincere and comes from the heart.

Biblical Example: Jesus observed the widow's offering and recognised the sacrifice and sincerity behind her two small coins (Mark 12:41-44).

2. GOD LOVES GIVING THAT IS WILLING

God does not want His people to give merely because they feel forced. He delights in voluntary generosity that comes from a willing heart.

a. Give According to Your Purpose (2 Corinthians 9:7) — Each believer should make a personal decision concerning his giving.

b. Give Willingly (Exodus 25:2) — God instructed Israel to receive offerings from those whose hearts moved them to give.

c. Willingness Pleases God (2 Corinthians 8:12) — God accepts a gift according to what a person has and the willingness of the heart.

d. Voluntary Giving Demonstrates Love (Philemon 1:14) — Paul preferred willing action rather than something done under compulsion.

Biblical Example: David and the leaders of Israel willingly gave towards the construction of the temple, and the people rejoiced because they had given freely (1 Chronicles 29:6-9).

3. GOD DOES NOT DESIRE GRUDGING GIVING

A person can give while complaining, regretting or resenting the gift. God desires something deeper: generosity accompanied by joy.

a. Do Not Give Grudgingly (2 Corinthians 9:7) — God does not want giving that produces resentment in the heart.

b. Do Not Let Possessions Control You (Matthew 6:21) — Our attitude towards money reveals where our hearts are.

c. Guard Against Covetousness (Luke 12:15) — The abundance of possessions does not determine the value of life.

d. Let Love Govern Your Giving (1 Corinthians 13:3) — Even great generosity lacks its proper spiritual value when separated from love.

Biblical Example: The Macedonians gave generously despite severe trials and deep poverty, and their giving was accompanied by abundant joy (2 Corinthians 8:2).

4. GOD LOVES CHEERFUL GIVING BECAUSE IT REFLECTS HIS GRACE

Cheerful generosity is evidence that God's grace is working within the believer. Grace changes our relationship with possessions and makes us more willing to bless others.

a. Grace Produces Generosity (2 Corinthians 8:1-2) — The Macedonians' generosity was an expression of God's grace at work in them.

b. Christ Is Our Greatest Example (2 Corinthians 8:9) — Jesus gave Himself for our sake and demonstrated the ultimate expression of grace.

c. Grace Changes the Heart (Titus 2:11-12) — God's grace teaches believers to live differently from the values of the world.

d. Grace Enables Good Works (2 Corinthians 9:8) — God makes His grace abound so that believers can abound in every good work.

Biblical Example: Zacchaeus demonstrated the transforming effect of grace by responding to Jesus with repentance, restitution and generosity (Luke 19:1-10).

5. CHEERFUL GIVING EXPRESSES GRATITUDE TO GOD

A grateful heart recognises that everything we have comes from God. Gratitude therefore turns giving into an expression of thanksgiving.

a. Everything Comes From God (1 Chronicles 29:14) — David acknowledged that what Israel gave had first come from God's hand.

b. Remember God's Goodness (Psalm 103:2) — Remembering God's benefits strengthens gratitude.

c. Honour God With Your Possessions (Proverbs 3:9) — Giving is one way we acknowledge God's goodness and ownership.

d. Give Thanks Through Generosity (2 Corinthians 9:11-12) — Generosity produces thanksgiving to God.

Biblical Example: The Israelites willingly contributed towards the construction of the tabernacle because their hearts were stirred to participate in God's work (Exodus 35:20-29).

6. CHEERFUL GIVING BLESSES PEOPLE AND MEETS NEEDS

God can use our generosity to answer someone's genuine need. Cheerful giving turns personal resources into practical expressions of God's love.

a. Give to Those in Need (Proverbs 19:17) — God takes notice when His people care for the poor.

b. Share With the Saints (Romans 12:13) — Believers are called to contribute to the needs of fellow Christians.

c. Do Good and Share (Hebrews 13:16) — Sharing what we have is a sacrifice that pleases God.

d. Giving Produces Thanksgiving (2 Corinthians 9:12) — When needs are supplied, people give thanks to God.

Biblical Example: The church at Antioch sent relief to believers in Judea during a famine according to their ability (Acts 11:27-30).

7. CHEERFUL GIVING TRUSTS GOD AS THE SOURCE

Giving requires faith because it involves releasing something we possess. The cheerful giver trusts God more than possessions.

a. God Is Able to Provide (2 Corinthians 9:8) — God is able to give us sufficiency for every good work.

b. God Supplies Seed to the Sower (2 Corinthians 9:10) — He provides seed for sowing and bread for food.

c. Trust God Rather Than Riches (1 Timothy 6:17) — Our hope should be in the living God who richly provides.

d. God Rewards Faithful Stewardship (Matthew 25:21) — Faithful servants are commended for responsibly managing what they received.

Biblical Example: The widow of Zarephath trusted God's word and shared her limited provision with Elijah, and God sustained her household (1 Kings 17:8-16).

8. CHEERFUL GIVING BRINGS GLORY TO GOD

The highest purpose of Christian giving is that God should receive glory. Our generosity should point people towards His goodness.

a. Giving Produces Thanksgiving (2 Corinthians 9:11-12) — Generosity results in many thanksgivings to God.

b. Giving Demonstrates Obedience (2 Corinthians 9:13) — Generosity can demonstrate obedience to the Gospel.

c. Giving Causes Others to Glorify God (2 Corinthians 9:13) — People praise God when they see His grace expressed through His people.

d. Giving Becomes Worship (Hebrews 13:16) — Doing good and sharing with others are sacrifices that please God.

Biblical Example: The Philippian believers supported Paul's ministry, and their generosity was described as “an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18).

CONCLUSION

God loves a cheerful giver because cheerful giving reflects a heart that has understood God's grace, trusted His provision and embraced the privilege of blessing others. God is not merely looking for people who can give; He desires people who can give with joy, sincerity and love.

Let us therefore examine our hearts whenever we give. Let us not give grudgingly, reluctantly or merely because of pressure. Let our generosity flow from gratitude for God's goodness and love for His kingdom and His people. May our giving bring joy to our hearts, blessing to others and glory to God.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, give me a heart that delights in giving, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, remove every spirit of reluctance and resentment from my heart, in Jesus name.

3. Father, make me a willing and cheerful giver, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, let Your grace produce genuine generosity in my life, in Jesus name.

5. Father, fill my heart with gratitude for all Your goodness, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, deliver me from greed, covetousness and selfishness, in Jesus name.

7. Father, make my resources a blessing to people in genuine need, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, increase my faith in Your provision and faithfulness, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let my giving produce thanksgiving and glory to Your name, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, make my life a continual expression of Your generous love, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall grow continually in the grace of cheerful giving.

2. Your heart shall remain free from greed, selfishness and covetousness.

3. You shall give willingly, joyfully and sincerely.

4. God's grace shall abound towards you for every good work.

5. You shall trust God as your unfailing source of provision.

6. Your hands shall continually become instruments of blessing.

7. Your resources shall meet genuine needs and strengthen lives.

8. Your generosity shall produce thanksgiving and praise to God.

9. You shall never lose the joy of serving God through your resources.

10. Your life shall continually demonstrate God's generous love and bring glory to His name, in Jesus name.