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“Each person should give as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver” 2 Corinthians 9:7
Hey, psst. Time to let you in on a little secret. The church doesn’t need your money. I know, I know. My entire Board of Directors all just hyperventilated upon hearing me say that, but it’s just time to face the facts. God currently provides for all our needs. He always has.
Yes, the means by which He provides for our needs largely is because of the tithes and donations of the people who call our church home.
“So, what’s your point, pastor?”
The point is that He provides. If for whatever reason, charitable giving at the church dried up, the Lord could provide for the needs of our church some other way. What I’m trying to say is that financial giving in a church context has less to do with the needs of that church and more to do with the work God is doing in each of us as Jesus followers.
The true value of financial giving is about much more than money. The Bible teaches that God wants his followers to be faithful, generous, and cheerful givers—not just of their finances, but of themselves and everything they have. God looks at the heart behind our giving, not just the size of the gift.
What Does the Bible Say?
Let’s re-read 2 Corinthians 9:7: “Each person should give as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver”. This means God doesn’t want people giving because they feel forced or guilty. He wants people to give because they want to, with joy. If giving is a joyful act, it is pleasing to God.
Jesus also taught about giving through the story of the poor widow in Luke 21:1-4. Many rich people gave large sums to the temple, but Jesus noticed a poor widow who gave just two small coins. Jesus said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others... she gave all she had to live on”. Jesus made it clear that the value of her gift was in her faith and generosity, not the amount.
Faithfulness in Giving
Faithfulness means trusting God and giving even when it’s hard. The Macedonian church showed this kind of faithfulness; even when they were poor and struggling, they gave what they could with joy. True faithfulness in giving means putting God first and believing He will provide for our needs, as Psalm 37:25 says: “I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous abandoned or his children begging for bread”.
Generosity in Giving
Generosity is more than giving money—it’s sharing ourselves, our time, and all that we have. Proverbs 22:9 teaches, “A generous man will be blessed”. When Jesus followers give freely, they reflect God’s own generosity. God gave his Son, Jesus, to meet our need for salvation, showing the greatest generosity ever.
Cheerfulness in Giving
The Bible makes it clear that our attitude matters. Giving should be done cheerfully and willingly. If giving feels like a chore, I recommend not giving at all. Instead, God wants your giving to flow from your love for Him and your desire to help others. Setting aside a portion to give regularly is one way to prepare for generous, cheerful giving (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).
Giving as Worship
Finally, financial giving is an act of worship. Paul teaches that giving can help spread the Gospel and support those in need (Acts 20:32-35; 1 Timothy 6:17-19). By giving, Christians support their church, help missionaries, and care for the poor. This shows God’s love in action and points others to Christ.
Conclusion
Let me repeat; the true value of giving isn’t measured by dollar amounts. It’s about faith, generosity, and a cheerful heart. God wants his followers to give of themselves, including their finances, as an act of love and worship. In doing so, believers reflect God’s goodness and help others see His love.