This post is Day 18 in a series of studies about “Gifts & Giving”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

Feel free to comment below with your own thoughts about each verse and how you will be acting on each thought. Also, if you haven’t yet signed up to receive the notifications of new studies, you can do that today (the form is at the bottom of the page).

Gifts & Giving – Day 18

Paul is writing to the Corinthian church to encourage them to send a generous gift to the new Macedonian church. This short phrase is in the middle of several verses which in my Bible are under the heading Generosity Encouraged. I can think of no better comment for today.

2 Corinthians 9:7

God loves a cheerful giver.

The Thought

Paul is writing to the Corinthian church to encourage them to send a generous gift to the new Macedonian church. This short phrase is in the middle of several verses which in my Bible are under the heading “generosity encouraged”. I can think of no better comment for today than to read the full passage, so here it is …

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:6-15)

Action

Ask yourself today how generous you are. Be honest!