Today's Verse: 2 Corinthians 9:7

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Your Gift Makes a Difference

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Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
— 2 Corinthians 9:7
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Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God is working in us to conform our character and will to be like his own. God is a giver. God finds delight in generously blessing us. When we praise God for his grace, we are praising him for his gracious gift of love given to us in Jesus. He's a giver! Now he asks us to be like him: to be generous and full of grace. Giving is not an arbitrary task imposed on us to fund our churches and ministries; instead, giving is part of our character transformation as we become more and more like God. Giving to others in need and to the work of the Kingdom is one of the most genuine ways we demonstrate our allegiance, dependence, and participation in the gracious work of God. We are most like God when we give... lovingly... cheerfully! Remember how the most famous verse in the Bible begins? "For God so loved the world that he GAVE..."

Video Commentary...

We've included Phil's ToGather video from four years ago as an added blessing to our verse today:

ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos

My Prayer...

Father, please forgive me for the times I have been miserly with the abundance you have shared with me. Open my heart to the richness of your generosity. Use me as a conduit of your generous blessings, bringing them to others. I know that all I have is yours. Please help me use it as you would, lovingly and generously sharing it with others. In Jesus' name, I yearn to be gracious and generous like you, my Father. Amen.

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5 Related Resources by Heartlight

God Loves a Cheerful Giver
Illustration of 2 Corinthians 9:7
Image of 2 Corinthians 9:7 -- God loves a cheerful giver.
Cheerful Generosity
Virtual Worship by Demetrius Collins & Phil Ware
Why we should we be thankful, cheerful, and generous in a world full of negativity! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to call us to live generous lives of grace where we are joyful recipients of God's grace and cheerfully generous in our acts of mercy.
Bountiful Sowing
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, righteous and gracious God, Create in me a holy readiness to give of that which you have given me, never as an exaction but as a willing..."
Grow in this Gracious Gift of Giving
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Child of the Father, You are never more like the Father than when you generously give to bless others, especially others in need. The Father has..."
See All 5 Related Resources about 2 Corinthians 9:7

Illustration

Illustration of 2 Corinthians 9:7 — Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, November 7, 2009

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'The Foundation'
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Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Cicero:
"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'To the Least of These (2)' (Mt. 25:41-46)
"[Talking about the coming of the Son of Man, Jesus continued:] "Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, 'Away with you, you cursed..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Paul Continues To Emphasize His Innocence'
"Paul denied the charges [made by the leading priests and other Jewish leaders]. "I am not guilty of any crime against the Jewish laws or the Temple....."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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