God has never begged, and God has never strong-armed. From the beginning, the offering He receives is the offering that is given, not the one that is extracted.

When God wanted a tabernacle built in the wilderness, He did not tax the people. He said to Moses: “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.” (Exodus 25:2). Notice it — the offering was taken only from the man who gave it willingly with his heart. The gold of a grudging man was not wanted in God's house.

And when David prepared for the temple, the people gave so freely that Scripture records joy, not pressure: “Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.” (1 Chronicles 29:9). Willing giving ends in rejoicing — on both sides of the altar.

The Apostle's Rule

Paul lays down the rule for the church in one verse: “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

First — purpose in your heart. Decide before God, in prayer, what you will give. Giving is not an impulse grabbed by an emotional moment, and it is not an amount set by another man's demand. It is purposed — settled between you and the Lord.

Second — not grudgingly. If it aches to release it, the heart is not in it. God is not honored by a gift the giver mourns.

Third — not of necessity. Not because you were cornered, pressured, or made to feel you could buy God's favor. No man can purchase a blessing. The widow who cast in her two mites gave more than the rich men with their abundance, because hers came out of her heart and her living (Mark 12:41–44). God weighs the giver, not the gift.

Fourth — cheerfully. The word means hilariously — with gladness. God loveth a cheerful giver. Heaven smiles on the man who counts it a privilege to put something into the hand of God.

The Promise That Stands Behind It

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” (2 Corinthians 9:6). Giving to God is seed, not loss. “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” (Proverbs 11:25). And Paul seals it: “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).

The acceptance is according to the willing mind, not the size of the purse: “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.” (2 Corinthians 8:12).

The Close

The Lord Jesus Himself gave the rule its crown: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35). No child of God is ever compelled. We give because He first gave — “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” (2 Corinthians 9:15). We give cheerfully because the finished work of Christ was not grudged to us.

So bring your offering to the Lord the way He brought His to you: freely, willingly, and with joy.