What other scriptures emphasize the importance of giving willingly and joyfully? The Heart behind Giving (2 Corinthians 9:7) “Each one should give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Old Testament Foundations of Willing, Joyful Giving • Exodus 25:2 — “Tell the Israelites to bring Me an offering. You are to receive My offering from every man whose heart compels him.” • Exodus 35:5 — “Let everyone whose heart is willing bring an offering to the LORD.” • Exodus 35:21-22 — The people “came—everyone whose heart stirred him … and all the people of Israel brought a freewill offering to the LORD.” • Deuteronomy 15:10 — “Give generously to him, and do not let your heart be grieved when you do so, and the LORD your God will bless you.” • 1 Chronicles 29:9 — “Then the people rejoiced, for they had given willingly and wholeheartedly to the LORD.” • 1 Chronicles 29:14-17 — David celebrates that God “delights in uprightness” and that the leaders have given “willingly and with joy.” • Proverbs 11:24-25 — “One gives freely, yet gains even more … a generous soul will prosper.” • Proverbs 22:9 — “A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.” Jesus on Joyful Generosity • Matthew 6:3-4 — “When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” • Luke 6:38 — “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap.” • Matthew 10:8 — “Freely you have received; freely give.” Early Church Examples • Acts 2:44-46 — Believers sold possessions and shared “with gladness and sincerity of heart.” • Acts 4:32-35 — “No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they owned.” • Romans 12:8 — “If it is giving, give generously.” • Philippians 4:18 — Paul describes the Philippians’ gift as “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.” Continued New Testament Encouragements • Hebrews 13:16 — “Do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” • 1 Timothy 6:18-19 — “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, generous, and willing to share.” • 1 Peter 4:10 — “Each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” Putting It All Together Scripture consistently links giving with the heart. From the tabernacle offerings to the generosity of the early church, God delights in gifts that flow willingly, joyfully, and freely out of gratitude for His grace. As we give in this spirit, we reflect His own generous nature and experience the blessing He promises to cheerful givers. |
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