Saturday, May 9, 2009

Supracultural Principle 59 - A Cheerful Giver

BIBLICAL BASIS

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. -2 Corinthians 9:7

Paul wanted to make sure the Corinthians prepared their hearts as well as their gifts-not only to gather the money in a systematic fashion but to do so happily. When the time came for them to present their gift publicly to Paul and his coworkers, they would be able to give cheerfully because the money was in hand. In fact, if we're giving "reluctantly or under compulsion," God's heart is not as responsive to our act of worship.

Supracultural Principle 59

A CHEERFUL GIVER

Each of us is responsible to give to God on the basis of our heart's decision.

Does this mean we shouldn't give if we can't give cheerfully? If this were true, Paul would not have encouraged the Corinthians to give when they had negative attitudes. His hope, of course, was that careful planning would revive their sense of worship.

Extracted from Dr Gene Getz’s Rich in Every Way

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