Week 9 | Tuesday

Read: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

As we become more like Jesus, we reflect the generous heart of God in an ever-increasing manner. As we become more generous, we realize what we have is not ours. It’s all God’s. He has entrusted it to us to use for His glory. That means taking care of our needs and furthering His kingdom. We respond to His intentional blessings by being intentional in how we bless others.

But what do we give? Lots of churches promote tithing as the giving goal. Elementary school math tells me I can calculate a tenth (tithe means tenth) by shifting the decimal one position to the left. Easy enough, but is that 10% of the gross or the net? When are we supposed to give weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually? Tithing is an Old Testament law for the Israelites who lived in an agrarian culture. So, what does all this look like in a twenty-first-century capitalist culture?

The why and the how are compelling, but we get caught up in all this what business. We hesitate. We wait. Before we know it, intentionality drifts into inactivity.

Paul lays the what out beautifully. Talk to God about what you can give. Ask Him to stretch you and to bless you with joy in your generosity. Yes, asking to be blessed as you give to bless others is okay. God loves a cheerful giver!

Here’s the kicker: the word for “cheerful” in the original language of the New Testament (Greek) is hilaros. It means “characterized by a cheerful joy,” and it’s only used once in the New Testament! One time! This is it! It’s a special word.

Did you attempt to pronounce that Greek word when you read it? If you didn’t do it now. Sound familiar? It should. The word hilarious finds its roots in this Greek word. That means God loves it when our giving results in the same joy we experience in belly laughing, snorting, crying, and sighing in happiness. Not just fun or enjoyable or pleasant – hilarious! That’s next-level cheerfulness!

One last thought. The root of the word hilaros (ileos) means “gracious and merciful.” As Paul tells us what to give and shares the result God desires for us through giving, he simultaneously points back to the how and the why of giving. God’s intentional blessings flow from His grace and mercy. As we become more like Jesus, we become more gracious and merciful. That flows out of our lives in a variety of ways – including how we intentionally bless others through our giving.

Are you a cheerful giver?