What does it mean to be a cheerful giver?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, Paul communicates that it is wise to give generously, and that “God loves a cheerful giver.” However, sometimes parting with the money we have is difficult to do—whether it is because we are placing too much value on it or because we are in tough financial straits. Yet, we are told that “every good gift” and “every perfect gift” is ultimately from God (James 1:17). Reminding ourselves of this truth may inspire us to give joyfully. While we can get caught up in holding on to the things of this world, our focus should be on extending some of the gifts God has given us to others (Luke 6:38; 1 Peter 4:10), and we can have a better attitude about doing this when we are reminded about the priceless gift of salvation we’ve been given from Jesus (Romans 8:32). Because of the incredible goodness and graciousness of God, we should be able to give to others with a cheerful heart, such as fellow saints in need of our financial support (Romans 15:26).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• God desires that offerings come from a willing heart rather than obligation (Exodus 25:2). He values generosity that flows from genuine desire.
• In the Old Testament, the people rejoiced when they gave freely and wholeheartedly, showing that giving was an expression of worship and joy (1 Chronicles 29:9).
• Proverbs 11:25 tells us that those who are generous often find themselves refreshed and blessed in return, as God honors a giving spirit.
• Deuteronomy 16:17 says, “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you.” Giving is a tangible way to express gratitude.
• God commanded that giving be done freely and with a right attitude, not with reluctance or resentment (Deuteronomy 15:10).
• Proverbs 3:9–10 challenges us to “honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits… then your barns will be filled with plenty.” By giving the first and best to God, the people demonstrated their trust in His ongoing provision rather than in their material resources.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Jesus tells us, "give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap" (Luke 6:38). While this doesn’t mean God will always financially bless us when we give, we can know that when we make Him a priority, He will take care of us.
• A monetary donation is nothing compared to what we receive because of Jesus' sacrifice. Romans 8:32 says, "He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" The "all things" here refers to victory in this life and salvation for the next. We owe God everything we have, and although we can never pay Him back—we can bless others through the means we have been granted by God.
• During the time of the apostle Paul’s ministry, money that was collected was usually earmarked for the poor saints in Jerusalem (Romans 15:26). Such people were those who stayed in Jerusalem and developed the foundation of the church. Offerings that are used for the equipping of the saints and the spreading of the Gospel are important.
• In 2 Corinthians 9, Paul writes, "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Paul’s instruction to the Corinthians is something we can apply to our giving—we can remember that God loves us as His cheerful givers—even though it’s sometimes hard for us to give.
• Something that might inspire us to give cheerfully is reminding ourselves where our financial blessings come from in the first place: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…" (James 1:17). Every blessing we have—including money—is from God.
• God's gifts can be used not only to bless us but to bless others (1 Peter 4:10). To give grudgingly could be a sign of a heart issue—that we value money, comfort, or security more than the Kingdom of God.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Unlike Jews in the Old Testament, we are not commanded to tithe 10% of our income to our primary place of worship, but we are exhorted to financially support both our local church and other believers in need. In Greek, the word "cheerful" (hilaros), means joyous, but it also entails a sense of readiness—to be ready to act at a moment's notice—to be prepared. Being a cheerful giver means being prepared to give not just with our hands but with our hearts fully engaged in joy and gratitude. This kind of giving isn’t about reluctantly parting with money or feeling pressured by guilt—it’s about recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God and offering it back to Him with gladness. For example, when we set aside part of our paycheck to support our local church, it may feel like a sacrifice, especially when expenses are tight. But when we remember that God has never failed to provide for us—even in hard times—that gift becomes a joyful expression of trust and worship. Giving cheerfully might also look like helping a friend buy groceries during a difficult season, not out of pity but out of love and a desire to reflect Christ’s generosity.

This kind of giving grows out of a heart that treasures God's eternal gift of salvation more than temporary financial comfort. If we believe, as Romans 8:32 reminds us, that God gave His own Son for us, then no earthly gift we give compares in value—and we give not to earn favor, but because we’ve already been blessed beyond measure. We also begin to see giving as a way to participate in God’s work, like supporting missionaries, funding a Bible translation, or helping a single mom in our church pay her rent. Each of these moments becomes an opportunity to give joyfully and to trust that God will use our resources for His glory and our good. When we approach giving this way, we reflect the heart of our generous Father—and that’s what it truly means to be a cheerful giver.

UNDERSTAND

• God is the source of all we have, and giving recognizes this.
• Cheerful giving comes from gratitude for God’s blessings.
• Giving is an act of worship and trust, not a duty or burden.

REFLECT

• How would you describe your relationship to giving and what experiences have led to this?
• Do you ever struggle to give cheerfully—why might that be, and what does it reveal about your view of money or trust in God?
• How does remembering God's generosity toward you change the way you approach giving?

ENGAGE

• How can we as believers encourage one another to give with joy and readiness rather than reluctance or guilt?
• How have you seen cheerful giving impact the lives of others or strengthen the body of Christ?
• What are some practical ways we can grow in being cheerful givers, especially during times of financial pressure or uncertainty?