DEVOTION – DAY 406

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 “A Cheerful Giver”

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 “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.”

As we approach Christmas, it is a season of gift-giving. It reminds us that God gave us His greatest gift of all, the Lord Jesus Christ more than 2,000 years ago. In the above verses, the apostle Paul gave a principle that those who sow sparingly would reap a poor crop. Those who sow generously could expect a great harvest. In the same way, Paul encouraged all Christians to be generous in their giving to bless others. The motivation to give should be out of a person’s generosity and willingness to give, without any expectation of anything in return. It should not be because anyone has been forced or felt compelled to give. In the same way, God expects Christians to give cheerfully to the Church and with the same attitude.

In Hong Kong, when someone is invited to a wedding dinner, in accordance to local custom, guests are expected to give red packets containing money as gifts to the wedded couple to bless them. Since the gifts are to be recorded, the person recording the amount given would sometimes announce loudly the sum given. This causes guests to give large amounts, sometimes more than they could afford, in order that they do not appear stingy or lose “face” in front of other guests. Such forms of giving are examples of people giving under compulsion. 

In Taiwan, during the annual Spring Festival, married couples are expected to give red packets containing money to children and singles. Again, in order not to lose face, couples make sure that they put in large amounts so that their relatives and neighbors will not look down on them as being lacking in generosity. This desire to keep up appearances for others to see is exactly what 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 warns us about. We are asked to be cheerful and generous givers, and not be calculative and unwilling givers. Our motivation to give should be due to our willingness, and not because we feel forced to give.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we thank you for generously giving us your So, the Lord Jesus Christ who came to die on the cross on our behalf. Thus, we should have a similar generous and giving heart when it comes to giving something back to you to further your work through your Church. Please help us to be generous and cheerful givers. In the Holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Questions

  1. During this Christmas season, how have the Lord impressed upon your heart to be a willing and generous giver?
  2. Why does the Lord want us to be cheerful and generous givers? Discuss.
  3. In what ways have the Lord been generous to you? Share. 
  4. How can you respond to the Lord’s generosity poured out to you and your family? Share.