Cheerful and Humble Giving

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. —2 Corinthians 9:7


“If you cannot be great, be willing to serve God in that which is small. If you cannot do great things for Him, cheerfully do little ones. If you cannot be an Aaron to serve at the altar, or a Moses to guide the tribes, consent to be “a little maid ” to Naaman the Syrian, for the honor of God’s prophets, or a little child, for Christ’s sake, to be set by Him in the midst of the people, as an illustration of the sweetness of humility.”

S. F. Smith in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 123.

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When we think of growing in generosity, our minds often wonder what greater things God would have us do for Him. Growth in the measure God uses looks altogether different. Often He wants to nurture in us a willingness to give in little rather than great ways and to do so with cheerfulness and humility. In that sense, growth in generosity, the kind of giving that God loves, is not so much linked to ‘how much’ we give but ‘how’ we give.

How do you give? Do you find joy in giving in little ways? Do you give cheerfully with the sweetness of humility?