Cheerful Giving

| Sermon Summary by PKD Lee |

2 Cor 9:6-8

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

Since this passage is taken from the portion speaking about the collection of money for the poor in Jerusalem, it is usually taken to refer to giving money. But giving need not be money, especially in today’s environment, where the giving of time, giving of an attitude of love for people, where the giving of a listening ear is rare.

Jesus emphasized that love is the essence of Christianity. But the love that Jesus speaks of is not emotional but a commitment, as meant by the word agape in Greek. It is a commitment to do good to another person, irrespective of what the other person does.

So, our primary sharing with others is this attitude of love and commitment to them. Out of this comes the sharing of the gospel message to them. Closely followed by money, wisdom etc.

Some misunderstand vs 6 to mean that if we give away money, God will pour more money into our laps. That is not what is meant. If we are generous with people, they will be generous with us. If we have a generous heart, God will be with us and give us His grace and we will always have enough for our needs.

Often, charitable financial giving unconsciously shows an aura of pride. It rises from pity or from grief rather than love, and implies I am better off than you. On the other hand, when giving is motivated by love, this is not there. Also, in the long run, charity except in emergencies, tend to be harmful. Instead, we invest in the future of people by building them up so that they can be financially self-sufficient. I have known people who have financed their maid’s education and taught them so they could become executives in companies.

This is what makes us cheerful givers – seeing the lives transformed by your giving of money, time, wisdom etc. out of love and commitment to people. The cheer is not in giving but in the transformation achieved.

How many lives have you transformed in 2025? Can you ensure that in 2026, some lives will be changed by your presence in the world?