Topical Bible: The Poor: Give to Cheerfully

◄ The Poor: Give to Cheerfully ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of caring for the poor and giving to them with a cheerful heart. This principle is deeply rooted in the teachings of both the Old and New Testaments, reflecting God's compassion and justice.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays a strong foundation for the care of the poor. In Deuteronomy 15:7-8 , God commands the Israelites: "If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs." This passage underscores the expectation that God's people should be generous and willing to meet the needs of the impoverished.

Proverbs 19:17 further highlights the blessing associated with giving to the poor: "Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender." This verse suggests that acts of charity are not only beneficial to the recipient but are also seen as a service to God Himself, who promises to reward such generosity.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues this theme, with Jesus Christ Himself exemplifying and teaching the importance of giving to the poor. In Matthew 6:2-4 , Jesus instructs, "So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their reward. But 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."

The Apostle Paul also addresses this topic in his letters. In 2 Corinthians 9:7 , he writes, "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver." This passage emphasizes the attitude with which one should give—willingly and joyfully, rather than reluctantly or under pressure.

Theological Implications

The call to give to the poor cheerfully is not merely a social or ethical directive but is deeply theological. It reflects the character of God, who is generous and compassionate. By giving to the poor, believers participate in God's work of justice and mercy, demonstrating His love to the world. The act of giving is a tangible expression of faith and obedience, aligning the giver's heart with God's purposes.

Practical Application

In practical terms, giving to the poor can take many forms, including financial support, providing food and clothing, or offering time and skills to assist those in need. The key is to approach these acts with a spirit of joy and willingness, recognizing them as opportunities to serve God and reflect His love.

The biblical mandate to give to the poor cheerfully challenges believers to examine their attitudes and actions, ensuring that their generosity is motivated by love and gratitude rather than obligation or self-interest. Through cheerful giving, Christians can make a meaningful impact on the lives of the poor and fulfill God's command to love their neighbors as themselves.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 8:12
For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man has, and not according to that he has not.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 9:7
Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

A Poor Man's Cry, and what came of It
... Give your testimony cheerfully. "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him." Do
not say it as if it were a line from "the agony column"; but write it as a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/a poor mans cry and.htm

That True Solace is to be Sought in God Alone
... be fully comforted and perfectly refreshed, only in God, the Comforter of the poor,
and the ... Let it be my comfort to be able to give up cheerfully all human ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xvi that true solace.htm

How the Soul Attains Hearty Repentance and Gentle Pardon under the ...
... sweet Eternal Wisdom, who became wretched and poor that I ... Eternal Wisdom."Thou shouldst
give thyself and all that is thine to Me cheerfully, and never ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/chapter v how the soul.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xvi. 9, "Make to Yourselves ...
... 1. Our duty is to give to others the ... they who serve their need, and minister cheerfully
to their ... distributed whatever they had to the poor; that unencumbered ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxiii on the words.htm

A Liberal Church
... necessary that the people of God give cheerfully and liberally ... neglected, and the
churches fail to give for the ... Even the very poor should bring their offerings ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 32 a liberal church.htm

Death by Disuse
... report, and how much he gave is printed); if you freely help the poor, and give
them paddy on ... "That is right," they remarked cheerfully; "give her plenty ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xiii death by disuse.htm

Preaching for the Poor
... For my own part, I cheerfully accord to all men the liberty of abusing ... words and
a grand selection of fantastic language could ever give to it ... The poor have the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/preaching for the poor.htm

Christ Teaching Liberality
... Paul says, in one place, to give "cheerfully." II. Cor. ix: 7. ... He tells us that the
money which we give to the poor, or use to do good with, is like the ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/christ teaching liberality.htm

Association
... has said, "that he who gives to the poor lends to ... would, therefore, grant club relief
willingly and cheerfully when it ... that they are the men to give an answer ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xx association.htm

August 2, 1893
... He would have us give Him alms as to a poor man, and puts Himself"so to speak"at
our mercy. He will take nothing that is not cheerfully given, and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/therese/story of a soul/xv august 2 1893.htm