Paul talks about being a cheerful giver in today's Scripture. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, which happens to be one of the Bible's most popular and important passages on giving. Keep in mind these words were directed to a group of people who were about to make a sacrificial offering. They were givers. Paul, writing under the direction of the Holy Spirit, begins by stating the most basic law of giving: "He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." In verse 7, Paul's very next phrase is an important one because he's giving us the primary guideline for giving. Each person is to give "as he purposes in his heart." You are the only person on earth who can decide what the right level of giving is for you. It's between you and God.

As Paul continues in verse 7, he says something very important about our attitudes as we give. Let's look at it in the New International Version: "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

"But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work." NKJV
(2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-8)

Paul makes it clear that God is not looking for tithes, offerings, and gifts that are given ''reluctantly or under compulsion." The blessed life is an outgrowth of "cheerful” giving.

So, how do you become a cheerful giver? There is only one way: God must do a work in your heart. As with every other truth we've explored up to this point, it all comes down to the heart. We must allow God to replace our selfish and grieving hearts with generousity. When we do, Paul says "God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have abundance for every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8).

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