"Made Cheerful"
Overview
Made Cheerful
Cheerfulness is woven throughout Scripture as a quality God delights in. "A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance" Proverbs 15:13, "a cheerful heart is good medicine" Proverbs 17:22, and Paul himself longed to be "cheered" by news of the Philippians Philippians 2:19. Nowhere is this more striking than in 2 Corinthians 9:7: "God loves a cheerful giver." The Greek word for "cheerful" here is the root of our English word hilarity—a bursting, joyful kind of giving. But why is cheerfulness so closely tied to giving?
The Point: Sow Generously
Writing to encourage the Corinthians to follow through on their promised offering for impoverished believers in Jerusalem, Paul lays down a principle: "The one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully" 2 Corinthians 9:6. This same truth echoes in Proverbs 11:24-25 and Luke 6:38. Generous giving blesses both directions—those in need receive real help, and the giver receives blessing in return. Scripture describes that returning blessing as sometimes spiritual (overflowing thanksgiving to God, 2 Corinthians 9:12), sometimes material Philippians 4:19, and often both together 2 Corinthians 9:10.
The Provision and Its Purpose
Paul's call to give generously is grounded in a promise of provision: "God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance" 2 Corinthians 9:8. This is God's plan for financial soundness, echoed in Proverbs 3:9-10 (honor the Lord with the firstfruits) and Malachi 3:10, where God astonishingly invites His people to "put me to the test" with the tithe and watch Him open the windows of heaven. We are not under the law to tithe, nor compelled by force—but God dares us to take Him at His word. Those who do find what cannot be found any other way: you cannot outgive God. And the purpose of the provision is clear: "so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work." God gives so that we can give. The rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 missed this entirely—hoarding what was meant to flow through him to others.
Made Cheerful by Grace
"God loves a cheerful giver" is not a new law demanding that we manufacture a smile while writing the check. Cheerfulness cannot be commanded into existence. It is, instead, a word of grace—God makes us cheerful givers. Like Naaman, whose gratitude for healing birthed a desire to give 2 Kings 5:15, our giving flows from joy already received. Christ has borne our sin, the tomb is empty, we have been claimed in baptism, and eternal life is ours. We have been redeemed and reconciled by His blood, and He has promised to provide everything we need and more besides—so that we can be a blessing to others. Who wouldn't be cheerful with news like that? That is the joy that makes a cheerful giver.
Transcript
Let's open our Bibles, please. 2s
This morning to second Corinthians, the ninth chapter, 4s
second Corinthians, chapter nine, for our study this morning. 9s
Cheerfulness. 16s
Cheerfulness. 17s
That is a wonderful quality to have. 19s
And in numerous places, the Bible talks about being cheerful 23s
or cheerfulness for example. 27s
Proverbs the 15th chapter. 31s
A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance. 34s
Again, in Proverbs the 15th chapter, a cheerful look brings joy 39s
to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. 44s
Proverbs 17. 51s
A cheerful heart is a good medicine. 52s
Proverbs 12. 59s
Anxiety weighs down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up. 61s
Paul writes in Philippians the second chapter, 69s
I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, 72s
so that I may be cheered by news of you. 76s
The topic of cheerfulness is certainly not uncommon in holy scripture. 84s
And so no wonder cheerfulness winds up in this sermon series on joy. 91s
In the particular in this section in which we are examining the joy in us. 97s
For another example of where this shows up in scripture is in our text for today. 105s
Look, please, at verse 7 of 2 Corinthians the 9th chapter. 111s
Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion. 118s
And for God loves a cheerful giver. 126s
So here's my question this morning. 136s
Why is cheerfulness associated with giving? 141s
Why is cheerfulness associated with giving? 147s
Let's get the context for our study today. 154s
In 2 Corinthians the 9th chapter, chapters 8 and 9 really form a unit. 158s
The issue is that the church at Corinth had agreed to be part of an offering, 166s
an offering that would be sent to impoverished Christians in Jerusalem. 171s
So Paul is writing the church at Corinth to remind them of this and to encourage them 178s
to have the offering ready so when the delegation comes they can present the offering. 183s
Paul starts out by making the point. 192s
Look, please, at verse 6 of 2 Corinthians 9. 197s
The point is this. 201s
The one who's so sparingly will also reap sparingly. 205s
And the one who's so is bountifully will also reap bountifully. 211s
Well, that truth makes a lot of sense, doesn't it? 219s
If one goes out and wants a huge crop but one goes out with just one or two little seeds 223s
and plants those one or two little seeds don't expect a massive crop to come up to be harvested. 231s
No, the point is this, the one who's so sparingly will also reap sparingly. 240s
And the one who's so is bountifully will also reap bountifully. 245s
That truth appears other places in Holy Scripture. 251s
For example, in Proverbs 11 chapter, 256s
some give freely yet grow all the richer. 260s
Others withhold what is due and only suffer want. 265s
A generous person will be enriched and one who gives water will get water or 270s
in Luke 6. Give and it will be given to you. 280s
A good measure. Press down, shake in together, running over will be put into your lap. 286s
For the measure you give will be the measure you get back. 293s
Remember the context here. 300s
It is a financial gift being collected to give to the impoverished Christians. 302s
And so the apostle Paul is simply stating the truth that resounds in Holy Scripture. 308s
That if but a few seeds or a small financial gift is given, 316s
that's not going to have the greatest impact. 323s
But if more seeds are given, that will have a greater impact 328s
that those Christians in Jerusalem will be impacted in a greater way by a greater gift that could be sent to them. 336s
It also means. It also means that as the generous and great gift is cast, 348s
those blessings come back on the people that are casting the seed. 357s
So you see the blessing goes to ways. The blessing then goes to those there that are 367s
in need in Jerusalem and with the generous gift they will be wonderfully blessed. 374s
And also the people will receive a blessing back, the very ones that are giving the gift. 379s
Well, what's the form then that the blessing that comes back to the giver, what form does it take? 391s
One of the forms that we see in Scripture is spiritual. 403s
Look, please, at verse 12 of 2 Corinthians 9, 407s
their Paul says this, for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints, 413s
but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. 423s
And so there's a spiritual blessing isn't there. 430s
That is, people receive those gifts as they are blessed by them. 435s
That births the spiritual blessing of many people giving thanks to God. 442s
So one of the ways in the form of the blessing takes is spiritual. 448s
Another way it can take is material. 453s
Philippians the fourth chapter. Paul writes this, 458s
and my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 463s
Remember the context there of what we've been studying about in our Monday morning messages 473s
that led to the church of Philippi is a thank you note. 479s
It's a thank you note from Paul to those that are providing for his needs. 483s
And so when he says, and my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches 491s
included in those needs is material. 500s
So the blessing then that can come back to the giver is spiritual. 505s
The blessing that can come back is material or you can have a combination of the two spiritual 510s
and material. Look at verse 10, please, of second Corinthians the ninth chapter. 515s
He who supplies seed the soul and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for 524s
sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. Did you hear both? 533s
There's the blessing of the material who he who supplies seed to the soul and bread for food will 542s
supply and multiply your seed for sowing. Here comes the spiritual and increase the harvest of your 548s
righteousness. So the impoverished Christians in Jerusalem are going to be blessed. 556s
And also these verses tell us that the givers will be blessed. 564s
And blessings we see in Scripture take the form of spiritual material or spiritual and material 570s
together. Let's go deeper. Look in verse 7, Paul says this, 581s
each of you must give as you have made up your mind. 591s
And so with regard to this financial gift to these heard Christians, 601s
Paul is saying that this gift needs to be premeditated. 605s
He needs to be predetermined. Now this isn't going to be off the cuff. 611s
So this is going to be prayerfully considered. Then he goes on to say, 616s
next part of verse 7, not reluctantly or under compulsion. 623s
Literally in the Greek it means out of grief or pain. 630s
Towards Paul is saying, you're not under compulsion. This is not a half to here. This is not a 636s
or pain. No. And then it comes. Last part of verse 7, 646s
for God loves a cheerful giver. That word cheerful there in the Greek. 656s
That's the word that we get hilarity from. What a wonderful image that is, isn't it? 669s
That God loves the cheerful giver. When you think of someone who's saying that is hilarious, 677s
why there's just a burst of joy, a burst of cheerfulness. When one reflects on something that 684s
is just hilarious, that's the image here that God lifts up with regard to giving. 692s
So we're back to the original question. Cheerfulness is associated with giving. 702s
Why is that? Why is that? I think in second kings of fifth chapter, 714s
there's a fellow there by the name of name. Name and has leprosy. 725s
Name and comes into context with the prophet Alaisha. And Alaisha says, we'll do this. 732s
Go down to the Jordan and wash yourself seven times and you'll be healed. 742s
Now you would think that name and at that point having received that word that comes from the prophet Alaisha, 750s
we'll just be filled with joy and hope. But the scripture says that he was actually angry. 759s
He was angry. And what he was angry about was he said, I thought at least for me, 765s
that he would come out and he would wave his hands around over the spot and call upon the Lord. 774s
Name and was angry that, well, this healing wasn't going to be dramatic as what he thought 781s
should be for him. Thankfully, the servants of name and they convince him to do what the prophet says. 789s
So, name and goes to the Jordan. He washes himself in the Jordan seven times. Just as Alaisha 800s
has said, and the scripture says that his skin became that like a young boy. Then, 808s
in verse 15 of 2 Kings, the 5th chapter, name and returns and shares these words. 821s
Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. And he says to Alaisha, 835s
please accept a present from your servant. Now, the desire for name and to give the present, 848s
that was birthed out of joy. Wasn't it? That was birthed out of thankfulness for what had occurred. 867s
Look again at verse 7 of our text. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind. 879s
Not reluctantly or under compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver. It's interesting that 890s
phrase God loves a cheerful giver. Sometimes shared as a word of law. As if to say, 903s
well, God calls you to give and when you give, you better be cheerful about it because God doesn't 917s
love grouchy givers. So don't give, don't give as if you're paying a bill. That's somehow, 924s
or sometimes, how that phrase that verse is interpreted and rendered. As if it is this law 935s
to not be grouchy when you give. Carefulness is not that which can be commanded. 947s
So what is being communicated here? What's being communicated here? 962s
Right after the point that the apostle Paul makes, he moves into talking about provision. So right 974s
after the point, he moves into talking about provision. Remember the point? So generously. 985s
If one wants a tremendous harvest then so generously, then he moves into the provision 994s
verse eight. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance. One author says 1004s
that this section here is God's plan for financial soundness. That is so true and so it's 1021s
simply put. Let me read the first part of verse eight again and God is able to provide you with 1030s
every blessing in abundance. Now remember the context. The context is the giving of a financial gift 1039s
to impoverished Christians. That's the context. And so when it says and God is able to 1052s
provide you with every blessing in abundance, that includes the area of financial doesn't it? 1060s
You see this point here. It's echoed in other parts of scripture. I think for example, 1077s
of Proverbs the third chapter, it's the same point just a little different words. 1085s
Proverbs chapter three picking up in verse nine. On or the Lord with your substance, 1093s
and with the first fruits of all, your produce, what were the first fruits? The first fruits were 1101s
literally the first of the crop. God called for the first fruits as a reminder where everything else 1107s
comes from. And so in giving of the first fruits, it was that testimony that it all belongs to God. 1116s
Giving of the first fruits was a reminder that God is responsible for all of the blessing. 1127s
It is God's way of saying, not the leftovers, but the first fruits right off the top. 1134s
On of the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce. Now catch this. 1145s
Then your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will be bursting with wine. 1152s
Or melancholy the third chapter. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse. What's a tithe? 1166s
Tithe is giving of 10% of what God blesses you with. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse. 1174s
So that there may be food in my house and thus put me to the test says the Lord of hosts. 1183s
If I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you and overflowing blessing. 1194s
Let me ask you this. Is there one promise that God will not fulfill? 1209s
Of course not. God is faithful to His promises. God is perfect. God is God. God will never lie. 1221s
So if God makes the promise God is going to fulfill that promise. 1232s
And in this promise is a divine dare. It is God daring us to take him up on his promise. 1240s
To bring a full tithe into the storehouse and put him to the test and see if he will not open up the windows of heaven 1255s
and pour down such an overflowing blessing. 1266s
I can testify to this and so can my wife Denise. 1276s
From the first day of our marriage we have tithe and continue to do so. 1283s
I can testify that the promises that God makes are true. 1289s
I can testify that you can't outgive God. 1299s
Are we in the law to tithe? Absolutely not. 1308s
Are we forced to tithe? 1314s
Absolutely not. The God says this. 1317s
Put me the test and see. See what will happen. 1324s
See how I will provide for you. 1332s
I have never met someone. Never. 1339s
Who has ever begun to tithe and has ever said to me. 1345s
That was a mistake. I will never do that again. 1352s
No. What I hear from people is they'll say God is absolutely true to His promise 1357s
and we have discovered in wonderful ways how God provides. 1366s
He begins with so generously. I want to big crop, to impact the lives of people. 1378s
So generously, second point He makes, God will provide. God will provide. 1390s
Can't outgive Him. Here's the third point. It's purpose. 1403s
It's the purpose of the provision. What is the purpose of the provision? 1411s
I think of the story in Luke 12th chapter about the rich man. 1424s
The Bible says that the rich man had just a bumper crop. 1430s
So the rich man said, well, what do I do? In the rich man, in the parable, he says, 1435s
I know what I'll do. I'll tear down my varns and I'll build bigger varns. 1440s
And then I'll say to myself, take it easy, eat, drink and be merry. 1447s
Do you know what God's response was to that man? God turned to that man in the parable 1456s
and says, you fool, you fool. Tonight your soul is required of you. In other words, 1464s
tonight you are going to die and who is this all going to be? You see what the man missed 1474s
was what he could do with the provision that God had blessed him with. 1484s
So the point provision and then the purpose of the provision. 1499s
So what is the purpose of the provision, the purpose of the blessing that God gives to us? 1506s
Look, these back at our text in verse 8 again. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance. 1515s
So that there's the purpose statement. So that by always having enough of everything, 1529s
you may share abundantly in every good work. 1541s
That's the purpose of the provision. God provides what we need. He provides enough. 1552s
And in fact, he provides more than enough. Look at the promise once again. 1565s
And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance. 1572s
And remember, the encompassing nature of every blessing that includes the financial number of the 1579s
context. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, 1586s
purpose clause. So that by always having enough of everything, you may share in every good work. 1593s
You see, he gives to us what we need and more so that we can share with others. He gives 1607s
so that we can give. Look now again, at verse 7. Each of you must give as you've made up your mind. 1623s
Not reluctantly or under compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver. That is not a phrase of 1642s
that is not a phrase where and when you give you a better be happy about it. No. 1658s
That's a phrase of grace that God makes us cheerful givers. 1669s
The Lord Jesus Christ has borne all of our sin on the cross. 1682s
We are forgiven through His shed blood. His tomb is empty. 1688s
Today for the Christian is one more day in all of eternity. 1696s
God has called us His own in the waters of baptism and is not letting us go. 1702s
Life abundant, the side of heaven and life eternal that extends into the glory and beauty of heaven itself. 1710s
That's cause to be cheerful, isn't it? That's cause for joy. 1722s
We have been redeemed and reconciled through the blood of Christ. 1730s
We've been redeemed, bought back by the Lord Jesus Christ. That's a source of cheerfulness 1736s
and promise after promise after promise that tells us that he will provide for us. 1746s
That he will provide what we need and also give in abundance for the purpose that we can share with others. 1759s
That by His grace as we take him up on his promises, as we say, Lord, I'm going to follow your financial plan. 1775s
I'm going to follow your financial plan, Lord, because I hear what you say and you are true to your promises. 1784s
When we follow His financial plan, what is it that we discover is we can't out give God 1793s
that God continues to bless us so that we can be a blessing. 1806s
Who wouldn't be cheerful with that news? Who wouldn't be a cheerful giver with God's promises? 1822s
That form are reality and the very thing we experience. Who wouldn't be cheerful about that? 1833s
Joy. Joy. 1850s