Friday, October 23, 2026

Bible in a Year Reading Plan: 2 Samuel 10-14 | John 5

A friend recently shared a fundraiser on social media for someone going through a difficult season. As I scrolled through the comments, one remark from a mutual friend caught me off guard. Essentially, they said they would give if the person really needed it, but they weren't convinced it was necessary and weren't sure they wanted to contribute.

Suddenly, I questioned my own response.

It's interesting how much our emotions can influence our generosity, including who we give to, what causes we support, and how willing we are to open our wallets. When I first saw the fundraiser, I immediately wanted to contribute. But as I read the comments and wrestled with my own thoughts and feelings, that initial certainty began to fade. What began as a genuine desire to help slowly became a question of whether I still wanted to give at all.

So how do we navigate those feelings about giving? Thankfully, Scripture gives us an answer.

2 Corinthians 9:7
You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully."

God isn't just concerned with what we give. He cares about our hearts. He doesn't want us giving simply because we feel guilty, pressured, or obligated. He invites us to choose generosity willingly, with hearts that reflect his love for others.

There's a difference between giving because we feel like we have to and giving because we want to reflect God's generosity. That difference often starts by looking more closely at what motivates us.

This is easy to misunderstand. Cheerful giving doesn't mean we always feel excited about letting go of our money. Sometimes giving requires sacrifice, thoughtful planning, and faith. The difference is that we choose to give willingly, not under pressure.

So before you give, take a moment to check the posture of your heart. Are you giving out of guilt rather than gratitude, or obligation rather than opportunity? Consider what might change if you viewed generosity not as an expectation to fulfill but as an opportunity to share God's love.

Ultimately, our hearts don't need more pressure to give, but deeper trust in the One who gives us everything. From that place, generosity becomes a joyful response to God's love and an opportunity to participate in the good he's doing all around us.

Questions: 
How would your generosity change if you focused less on what giving costs you and more on what God can do through you?

What might shift if you trusted him to use your giving in ways you cannot see?

Next Steps: 
Take time this week to pray before you give. Ask God to guide your motives and help you give with a cheerful heart.

Talk with a trusted friend or family member about what motivates your generosity and encourage each other to give from a place of trust and cheerfulness.

Prayer:
God, help me give with a willing and cheerful heart. Show me where I'm holding on too tightly, and teach me to trust you with what you've given me. May my generosity reflect your love for others each time I give. I love you, I trust you, and I worship you. Amen. 

Series Theme Verse:

1 Timothy 6:6-7
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 

Written by Lori Tuckerman, Director of Content at CedarCreek Church.