2 Corinthians 9:7 (KJV) — “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
The Principle of Giving in Scripture
From Genesis to Revelation, the Word of God reveals that giving is not merely a religious act—it is a divine principle rooted in God’s own nature. The Bible declares, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16). Giving is therefore a reflection of the character of God Himself. To give is to act in harmony with His Spirit.
In the earliest chapters of Genesis, we see giving introduced through the offerings of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:3–4). Abel’s offering was accepted because it was given in faith and obedience. Cain’s was rejected because it lacked the heart of submission to God’s will. This reveals that the spirit in which one gives matters as much as the substance of the gift.
Abraham also demonstrated faithful giving when he tithed a tenth of all his spoils to Melchizedek, priest of the Most High God (Genesis 14:18–20). This act occurred long before the Law of Moses, proving that tithing and giving were not merely ceremonial practices, but eternal principles of faith, honor, and gratitude toward God.
The Law of Giving Under the Old Covenant
In the Mosaic Law, giving was systematized through tithes, offerings, and sacrifices. The tithe—literally meaning “tenth”—was required of all Israelites as a recognition that all possessions ultimately belonged to God. “And all the tithe of the land… is the LORD’S: it is holy unto the LORD” (Leviticus 27:30).
The tithe supported the Levites, who had no inheritance of land, and maintained the service of the tabernacle. But beyond the tithe, there were also freewill offerings, firstfruits, and alms given to the poor. Each of these carried spiritual meaning, teaching Israel that giving was both an act of worship and a measure of righteousness.
Malachi 3:10 stands as a timeless call to obedience in giving:
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
This passage not only affirms the duty of giving but also the divine promise attached to it—overflowing blessing for those who give faithfully.
Giving in the New Testament Church
Under the New Covenant, giving was no longer governed by legal obligation but by grace and love. The early Church was marked by extraordinary generosity. In Acts 2:44–45, “all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.”
The Apostle Paul taught the Corinthians that giving should be both purposeful and cheerful. “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give” (2 Corinthians 9:7). The New Testament does not abolish the tithe—it transforms it into a spiritual principle guided by the indwelling Holy Ghost. The believer gives not from compulsion, but from a willing heart overflowing with gratitude for God’s grace.
Jesus Himself commended sacrificial giving, as seen in the story of the widow’s mite (Mark 12:41–44). Though her gift was small in value, it was great in faith, for she “cast in all that she had, even all her living.” In the eyes of Heaven, giving is not measured by amount, but by devotion and sacrifice.
The Spiritual Rewards of Giving
Giving opens spiritual and material blessings that align with God’s covenant promises. Proverbs 11:24–25 declares, “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.”
The principle is simple: when one gives in faith, they participate in the divine cycle of blessing. God becomes the guarantor of the giver’s provision. Jesus said, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over” (Luke 6:38).
This is not a carnal prosperity doctrine but a spiritual truth. God does not promise wealth to every giver—but He does promise sufficiency and blessing according to His perfect will. As Paul wrote, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
Giving as Worship
True giving is an act of worship, not transaction. It acknowledges that everything we have originates from God: “For all things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee” (1 Chronicles 29:14). When we give, we return to God what already belongs to Him.
In Philippians 4:18, Paul described the church’s financial support as “an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.” In other words, the offering of believers rises as spiritual incense before the throne of Heaven. Giving is not merely about meeting needs—it is about pleasing the Lord who gave everything for us.
Giving in the Light of Eternity
The ultimate purpose of giving transcends the temporal. Earthly giving lays up eternal treasure. Jesus instructed, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” (Matthew 6:20).
Every act of generosity toward God’s work and toward others is recorded in Heaven. Hebrews 6:10 assures us, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love.” Our giving is a testimony of faith that looks beyond this life to the eternal kingdom.
Conclusion
Giving, according to Scripture, is not a burdensome command—it is a joyful privilege. It reflects the heart of God, honors His Lordship over our lives, and brings both temporal and eternal reward. From Abel’s altar to the generosity of the early Church, giving has always been the mark of true faith.
The believer who gives with a willing heart partakes in the divine nature of the Giver Himself. God loves a cheerful giver because such a heart mirrors His own.
Therefore, let every child of God give with faith, gratitude, and expectation—not seeking worldly gain, but to glorify the Lord who gave His all for us.
“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.”
— Proverbs 3:9–10 (KJV)