Are You Grateful for Grace? Then Be a Giver by Rick Warren

“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. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8 NIV)

Are you uptight when your pastor talks about giving? Then you don’t really understand grace.

If you want to measure how much you understand and are grateful for the grace of God, take a look at your giving. Until you learn to be generous with your time, your money, and your resources, you’re not going to be like Christ. Nothing is greater proof you understand grace than when you are lovingly gracious and generous to other people and to God.

The Bible says, “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. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8 NIV).

When you give cheerfully, liberally, and abundantly, God takes care of all your needs, all the time.

Romans 8:32 says, “God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won’t he freely give us everything else?” (CEV)

Truthfully, you don’t own anything. God loans you all you have for 60, 70, or 80 years.

God doesn’t need your money. But he wants you to be like him. And when you give generously and cheerfully, you become more like Christ.


Talk It Over

What do you have a harder time giving to God, time or money? Why?
What do you think it means to be a “cheerful giver”?
How can you demonstrate your gratitude to God for his free gift of grace?