Each one must do just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Have you ever heard someone say a forced “I love you” or “I’m sorry”? Even though the words they say in those moments are full of meaning, they are hard to receive because we can sense the heart behind them isn’t genuine. The truth is the words themselves don’t make these expressions meaningful; it’s the sincere way people communicate them. When we think about giving as an obligation instead of a sincere expression of our gratitude to God, we face a similar dilemma. We give but our hearts aren’t in it; our generosity then becomes empty, like a forced apology or declaration of love.
Since this is a matter of the heart, only God can make us cheerful givers. We don’t have the power to muster up cheerful giving the same way we can’t force a sincere smile in an apology we don’t mean, no matter how hard we try. Only God can change our hearts from selfish and self-seeking to gracious and giving. As He transforms believers to be like Jesus, we become more cheerful and generous givers.
No matter how far along we are in our faith walk, may we open ourselves up to God doing this work in us. Titus 3:4-5 says, “But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit” (emphasis added). Our giving is not our way to earn God’s favor or even get His attention. He has loved us, rescued us, and made us new. Our giving can be cheerful because it comes from gratitude for the transforming work He has done in our hearts.
- When have you given out of obligation? What was that like? When have you given with joy? How was that different?
- Who has set an example of a cheerful giver? What have you learned from them?
- Pray and ask God to continue to change your heart to look like Him in the way you give.
