The Cheerful Giver

I love the phrase "as he has decided in his own heart." No, I don't believe that one must be "religious" to be a cheerful giver; there are wonderfully generous people who joyously share who aren't. But which is more satisfying to you--sharing because you "should" (whether this is a tithe or a check written to, say, the American Cancer Society) or because you just want to?

Why do you want to? From whence springs this desire? An awareness of just how relatively rich you are (whether your wealth is in friendship or family or money)?

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Cheerful Giver

The point is this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his own heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. [FONT=Verdana,Arial,Tahoma,Calibri,Geneva,sans-serif]https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+9%3A6-7&version=ESV[/FONT]

I will go one further on this issue. Those who love the LORD have a desire in their hearts to give not of just money but of time for anyone who crosses their path in life in need. It is who they are....period.

It is always more satisfying when I want to. It is also more satisfying when it is anonymous. But I really don’t get as much joy from it when it feels more like an obligation. Like when I am ASKED for a donation. I’ll still do it but it doesn’t leave me with the same warm and fuzzy feeling as it does when I do it upon my own initiative. Not that I begrudge being asked, mind you.

Skeptic Bob said:

It is always more satisfying when I want to. It is also more satisfying when it is anonymous. But I really don’t get as much joy from it when it feels more like an obligation. Like when I am ASKED for a donation. I’ll still do it but it doesn’t leave me with the same warm and fuzzy feeling as it does when I do it upon my own initiative. Not that I begrudge being asked, mind you.

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I don't either, but I know just what you mean.

nota bene said:

I love the phrase "as he has decided in his own heart." No, I don't believe that one must be "religious" to be a cheerful giver; there are wonderfully generous people who joyously share who aren't. But which is more satisfying to you--sharing because you "should" (whether this is a tithe or a check written to, say, the American Cancer Society) or because you just want to?

Why do you want to? From whence springs this desire? An awareness of just how relatively rich you are (whether your wealth is in friendship or family or money)?

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Cheerful Giver

The point is this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his own heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. [FONT=Verdana,Arial,Tahoma,Calibri,Geneva,sans-serif]https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+9%3A6-7&version=ESV[/FONT]

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My philosophy has always been "what I have I give to you". The beggar on the corner, the waitress who can't take a sick day because she needs the money, the parishioner who needs dental work, the patient in the hospital. Time, talent, and treasure; nobody can do everything but everybody can do something.

I'm just blessed to be able to give something to the people I love, and I love all of them one way or another.

For this reason I trust God for my daily bread because I think as long as I share it I will have bread to share.

I don't know if that answers your question or if it even makes sense, but there it is.

it's just me said:

My philosophy has always been "what I have I give to you". The beggar on the corner, the waitress who can't take a sick day because she needs the money, the parishioner who needs dental work, the patient in the hospital. Time, talent, and treasure; nobody can do everything but everybody can do something.

I'm just blessed to be able to give something to the people I love, and I love all of them one way or another.

For this reason I trust God for my daily bread because I think as long as I share it I will have bread to share.

I don't know if that answers your question or if it even makes sense, but there it is.

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That was an excellent answer a perfect answer.

I have always felt the same. I truly believe what is given to me has always been from G-d. And with that mindset anyone who crosses my path truly in need, I need to share. It is not a burden ever but actually gives me joy. Being a Christian is truly more than a religion but a way of life.

According to Maimonides,


There are eight levels of charity, each greater than the next.

[1] The greatest level, above which there is no greater, is to support a fellow Jew by endowing him with a gift or loan, or entering into a partnership with him, or finding employment for him, in order to strengthen his hand so that he will not need to be dependent upon others . . .

[2] A lesser level of charity than this is to give to the poor without knowing to whom one gives, and without the recipient knowing from who he received. For this is performing a mitzvah solely for the sake of Heaven. This is like the “anonymous fund” that was in the Holy Temple [in Jerusalem]. There the righteous gave in secret, and the good poor profited in secret. Giving to a charity fund is similar to this mode of charity, though one should not contribute to a charity fund unless one knows that the person appointed over the fund is trustworthy and wise and a proper administrator, like Rabbi Chananyah ben Teradyon.

[3] A lesser level of charity than this is when one knows to whom one gives, but the recipient does not know his benefactor. The greatest sages used to walk about in secret and put coins in the doors of the poor. It is worthy and truly good to do this, if those who are responsible for distributing charity are not trustworthy.

[4] A lesser level of charity than this is when one does not know to whom one gives, but the poor person does know his benefactor. The greatest sages used to tie coins into their robes and throw them behind their backs, and the poor would come up and pick the coins out of their robes, so that they would not be ashamed.

[5] A lesser level than this is when one gives to the poor person directly into his hand, but gives before being asked.

[6] A lesser level than this is when one gives to the poor person after being asked.

[7] A lesser level than this is when one gives inadequately, but gives gladly and with a smile.

[8] A lesser level than this is when one gives unwillingly

nota bene said:

I love the phrase "as he has decided in his own heart." No, I don't believe that one must be "religious" to be a cheerful giver; there are wonderfully generous people who joyously share who aren't. But which is more satisfying to you--sharing because you "should" (whether this is a tithe or a check written to, say, the American Cancer Society) or because you just want to?

Why do you want to? From whence springs this desire? An awareness of just how relatively rich you are (whether your wealth is in friendship or family or money)?

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Cheerful Giver

The point is this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his own heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. [FONT=Verdana,Arial,Tahoma,Calibri,Geneva,sans-serif]https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+9%3A6-7&version=ESV[/FONT]

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Christians can give out of a loving heart for the purpose of bringing honor to the Lord Jesus, but that is not generally true of Christians whose hearts are not right with God or lost people who don't even know God.

How some folks can claim to be christians and then spout the hatred for others on here they do is beyond me. I give to others because I want to. I can pass a thousand people in front of stores and give them nothing and not feel badly. Why? Because I don't want to give to people in front of stores. It reminds me of being in catholic school and being forced to sell candy for the church.

As for the god part, I don't believe in any gods and don't need to in order to be a decent person. I'm more of a christian than a whole bunch of people who claim to be christians because they pray and go to church on sunday. Bah. Actions speak louder than words and the words from the right are poisonous for the most part in my opinion. Christians, bah.

vesper said:

That was an excellent answer a perfect answer.

I have always felt the same. I truly believe what is given to me has always been from G-d. And with that mindset anyone who crosses my path truly in need, I need to share. It is not a burden ever but actually gives me joy. Being a Christian is truly more than a religion but a way of life.

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I agree. There are also times when I feel that god is guiding me to reach out to others. When I feel this way I always reach out. You will never know what one act of kindness at the right moment can do. But god knows so if he is working through your heart to help another. It’s important to follow his guidance.


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