Cheerful Givers

We reap what we sow. It’s one of the basic truths of life, known by everyone who has ever planted a seed and hoped for a harvest. Long ago, the Apostle Paul expressed it this way: “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” It’s true of farming and of life in general. If we give little, we will get little; but if we give generously, we will receive abundantly. The great Apostle went on to plead that we let the feeling in our hearts match our giving, “not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthian 9:6–7). To give is good, but to give generously and cheerfully is even better.

It sounds simple, but we all sense the gap between what we feel and what we do. Sometimes our ability to give simply can’t match the generosity in our hearts. Other times we might give out of obligation, and our hearts haven’t yet caught the giving spirit. The Lord knows that these gaps exist, and He’s patient with us. He will not force us to give. But He will continue to invite us to give freely, generously, and joyfully—and to give from the heart. His two great commandments—to love God and love the people around us—are His invitations to both feel love and express it.1

So how do we freely give our love? How do we become cheerful givers? It helps to realize that we’re all receivers. When we live in cheerful thanksgiving for God’s generosity toward us, it’s easier to generously share that abundance with His other children. Also, we can remember that there are many ways to give—we can extend friendship, we can listen, we can share our time and love to lift another’s burden, and we can serve our community and our country in worthy causes. Our service doesn’t necessarily have to come from our wallet or purse; it just needs to come from our heart.

Becoming a cheerful giver takes time. It happens as we learn that true happiness comes from making others happy. When weighed down with worry, serving someone else helps us reset our perspective. Just as God loves a cheerful giver, we learn to love giving cheerfully.

References1. See Matthew 22:37–39.