The Principle of Cheerful Generosity in Giving
The principle of cheerful generosity in giving is rooted in the New Testament, particularly in Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, which states, "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7 BSB) [1]. This verse emphasizes that the spirit of giving is paramount, contrasting cheerful giving with reluctance or giving under pressure [3].
The act of giving, according to this principle, should stem from an internal decision and free will, rather than being coerced or grudging [4]. John Gill, in his commentary on 2 Corinthians 9:7, explains that this refers to the "quality or nature of giving" and the "manner in which he is to give," emphasizing that it should be "of his own will and free choice, from his very heart" [4]. This aligns with Old Testament principles found in Deuteronomy, where the heart should not be grieved when giving to those in need [6].
The concept of cheerful giving is not merely about the act itself but the disposition of the giver. Matthew Henry, commenting on Proverbs 19:17, highlights that charity involves both compassion as an "inward principle" and outward "bounty and liberality" [5]. Without this inner compassion, even significant material giving is considered "nothing" [5]. The model for such generosity is Christ himself, who, though rich, "became poor by accepting a human existence and death on the cross" to enrich others with salvation [8].
Historically, the Old Testament "thank offering" or "peace offering" among the Jews, described in Leviticus 3:1, also reflects a form of voluntary giving, indicating that the offerer was already reconciled with God [2]. Unlike other sacrifices, peace offerings were not always fixed or regular, suggesting a more spontaneous and willing act of devotion [2]. John Calvin further notes that while people are often "niggardly" in relieving neighbors, believers are called to supply the wants of brethren with "greater abundance and generosity" and to perform gratuitous duties cheerfully [9]. The Eastern Orthodox tradition, through figures like John Chrysostom, also emphasizes the need for a life suited to grace, demonstrating earnestness through actions like giving [7].
Sources
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 9:7 (BSB) — Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Thank Offering, Or Peace Offering — the properly eucharistic offering among the Jews, in its theory resembling the meat offering and therefore indicating that the offerer was already reconciled to and in covenant with God. Its ceremonial is described in (Leviticus 3:1) ... The peace offerings, unlike other sacrifices, were not ordained to be offered in fixed and regular course. The only constantly-recurring peace offering appears to have been that of the two firstling lambs at Pentecost. (Leviticus 23:19) The general principle of the peace offering seems to have been ”
- 2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 9:7: 9:7 It is the spirit of giving that counts, “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” Cheerfulness in giving is contrasted with giving reluctantly (literally out of sorrow) or in response to pressure.”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 9:7: Every man according as he purposeth in his heart,.... Which is not to be understood of the quantity, or any set sum he has fixed upon in his mind to give; but of the quality or nature of giving; or of the manner in which he is to give: so let him give; of his own will and free choice, from his very heart; not as directed and forced by others, but according to his own counsel and determination: not grudgingly; or not of grief; with pain and uneasiness of mind, grieving at parting with what is given, reflecting on the persons that move him to it, or on the obj”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 19:17: Here is, I. The duty of charity described. It includes two things: - 1. Compassion, which is the inward principle of charity in the heart; it is to have pity on the poor. Those that have not a penny for the poor, yet may have pity for them, a charitable concern and sympathy; and, if a man give all his goods to feed the poor and have not this charity in his heart, it is nothing, Co1 13:3. We must draw out our souls to the hungry, Isa 58:10. 2. Bounty and liberality. We must not only pity the poor, but give, according to their necessity and our ability, Jam 2:15,”
- Deuteronomy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Deuteronomy 15:10: Thou shall surely give him,.... Or lend to him; though lending in such a case and circumstances, that person being extremely poor, and the year of release at hand, is the same as giving. Jarchi remarks that money must be given him, even a hundred times if he asks it; but the limitation is to what he wants, and what is sufficient for his present wants, Deu 15:8. and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him; grieved at parting with his money he has little or no hope of seeing again, grudging it to him to whom it is given; when, on the other han”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: be justified; next, that this the Law could not effect; and, that faith is not opposed to the Law. For since the chief cause of perplexity to the Jews was this, that the faith seemed to be in opposition to it, he shows more than the Jew wishes, that so far from being contrary, it is even in close alliance and coöperation with it, which was what they especially longed to hear proved. But since after this grace, whereby we were justified, there is need also of a life suited to it, let us show an earnestness worthy the gift. And show it we shall, if we ”
- 2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 8:9: 8:9 The model for generous giving is the Lord himself, who was rich in the Father’s presence (John 17:5, 24) yet became poor by accepting a human existence and death on the cross (see Phil 2:6-11). By that self-giving sacrifice, he could make people rich with the blessings of salvation.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 11.23: follow holiness and justice with a pure conscience. We are enjoined to walk before him, and always to consider him as present, that we may be just and upright. That they may eat till they are satisfied. 119 119 {Bogus footnote} The Prophet means that we ought to supply the wants of brethren with greater abundance and generosity than what is customary among men; for when neighbors ought to be relieved, men are very niggardly. Few men perform cheerfully any gratuitous duty, or labor, or kindness; for they reckon that they give up and take from”