Cheerful giving A key to giving (II Corinthians 9:6-15)

6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 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. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; 14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Paul explains to the Corinthians, and to us, the need for giving willingly and cheerfully. As indicated above, it is misguided preaching when it is said, "God wants you to give until it hurts!" Giving needs to be done under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. When we are led by the Holy Spirit to give, it may be a sacrificial amount we give, but the prompting to do so and resultant joy come from the Holy Spirit, not the persuasive speech of one trying to gather the funds. In other words, our offerings need to be gifts that people under the influence of the Holy Spirit gladly give to the ministry. When folks don't give, that's just a symptom of a greater spiritual problem. Fixing the symptom does not provide the missing victory in the Believer's life that only comes as one is led by the Holy Spirit. Notice the specific instructions given by Paul about giving in verse 7:

"as he purposeth in his heart" "not grudgingly" not "of necessity:" "God loveth a cheerful giver."

Verse 6 does say, "He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." Paul emphasizes that stinginess begets stinginess and generosity begets generosity. And what's the result of generous giving? Verse 8 says that, when we are generous, God meets our needs and gives "all sufficiency in all things." He quotes Psalm 112:9 (see notes) in verse 9 to emphasize the attribute of righteousness that is associated

with sacrificial giving to others. He continues to enhance this principle along with the thankfulness of the recipients for the extension of love to them represented by the gift itself in verses 10-14. Paul concludes this discussion in verse 15 with these words, "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." Apparently he's going back to the concept introduced in verse 8:9 when he emphasizes, "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." In light of Christ's sacrifice on the cross, how can one squabble over a little bit of money?