“[So let] each one [give] as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Cor. 9:7

God loves a cheerful giver. The people of Corinth had promised to give a gift but Paul wanted to make sure it wasn’t going to be given out of obligation. If we offer up our gifts to God out of necessity or begrudgingly we might as well just not give it. If you can’t give to God cheerfully then just don’t give, because God doesn’t want it if it is going to come with your complaints and grudges.

If you give grudgingly you might want to ask yourself what was your motivation for giving in the first place? Did you want to feel more spiritual? Did you want others to see you as more spiritual? The only good motivation for giving to God is giving out of love and cheerfulness, simply as a means of worship.

God doesn’t need our gifts, and he certainly doesn’t need our money. So don’t ever feel I have to give for this need and if I don’t God’s work is going to stop. If God wants something to happen He can make it happen with or without you, the only question is do you want to be a part of it or not?

The good news is we can purpose in our heart, we can make a firm decision, to give to God cheerfully and not begrudgingly or out of a feeling of necessity. If we do this, we are going to be a lot happier and our giving will instantly be rewarding, because we did it cheerfully out of worship to God. Give cheerfully or don’t give at all.