Live to Give Like Jesus // 2 Corinthians 9:7

Let’s look at today’s verse in full: “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” (NIV). There are a couple components that deserve attention. The first is we are to decide what is in our heart to give. Now, I want you to think about that for a second. The heart can be stingy, worried about making sure we have enough. God is the GOD of more than enough, though, so all of a sudden we see the need for a transformed heart. That will definitely seem strange to those who do not know Jesus, which leads to the second part. God does not want you to be reluctant when you give; no, He wants you to rejoice in your ability to give. Don’t compare your ability to give with someone else’s, rather know in your heart that you are giving out of joy. That leads me to the third part about how God loves a cheerful giver. Jesus taught that joy completes love, so we see a connection between the two. We find joy in giving because of what God does in us when we turn our lives inside-out, so to speak, to live for Him. Giving as such also helps to broaden our horizon so we are able to experience the fullness of life that comes from giving, not getting. So, let’s take this approach into the new day, and everyday for that matter, and live to give just like Jesus!