You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
In our Bible study yesterday, we were challenged to live differently from the rest of the world, which seeks to build up its own fickle earthly kingdoms, by practicing generosity. Generosity, however, is not just about our actions. You see, one can practice generosity with their actions but still feel inwardly greedy and stingy. True, genuine generosity does not just involve our actions; it also involves our hearts. Particularly, Scripture calls us to give with cheerful hearts.
The apostle Paul reminds us in 2nd Corinthians 9 that our hearts behind our generosity are just as important as our actions. In this chapter, Paul addresses a gift that the church in Corinth planned to give to the church in Jerusalem. As he talked about this gift they planned to give, he said, “I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly” (verse 5). He did not want them to give the gift to the church in Jerusalem if their hearts were not fully willing and wanting to give. He continued saying, “Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But one who plants generously will get a generous crop” (verse 6). As we give, according to Paul, we are planting seeds that will grow and produce a crop one day. If we live generously, we will have a generous crop. Next, Paul gave them advice about giving. He said, “You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully’” (verse 7). This is the attitude that honors God as we give willingly, gladly giving out of the abundance He has given us. As we do, Paul reminds us, God will generously take care of us.
Our call today is to be generous people not just through our actions, but our hearts as well. Are we giving cheerfully, willingly, and happily sharing what God has generously blessed us with to help those in need? Search your heart today. Ask God to reveal any greed or stinginess in you, and to give you a heart that gives cheerfully, grateful for the opportunity to be generous toward those around you.
One way to cultivate a heart of generosity is to practice gratitude, remembering all the ways God has been generous to us. Take some time to practice gratitude. For the next few minutes, make a list of all of the ways that God has been generous toward you. After making your list, pray, thanking God for His great generosity. Let His generosity toward you fill your heart with cheer and gratitude as you practice generosity toward those around you.
Prayer Prompt: Use this prompt to guide you as you pray.
“God, as I remember Your extraordinary generosity toward me, I thank You for…”
Going Deeper
2 Corinthians 9:1-15
I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem. 2 For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving.
3 But I am sending these brothers to be sure you really are ready, as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you. 4 We would be embarrassed—not to mention your own embarrassment—if some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren’t ready after all I had told them! 5 So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly.
6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say,
“They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”
10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.
13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 14 And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. 15 Thank God for this gift[g] too wonderful for words!
©2026 Sagebrush Church
