So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. v.7
Read chapter 9
Paul continues about giving. He lists three ways the heart can give: grudgingly, of necessity or cheerfully. Giving grudgingly is feeling unwilling and reluctant, covetous and therefore like a "sad-giver." Giving of necessity is feeling like you have to or of obligation and therefore are a "mad-giver." Giving cheerfully is the Greek word hilaron where we get our English word hilarious. Giving cheerfully not only is the recipient blessed by God but so is the giver, unlike giving grudgingly or of necessity. Paul says how we ought to know how to give in that as each purposes in his heart. It's not just an impulse give or wishful thinking, but of his own resolve. So how do you decide what you should give?
Think of a time when you've given in these three different heart attitudes and how did that make you feel afterwards?
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