Definition: Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this beautiful and important verse from 2 Corinthians 9:7. It's a really powerful message about generosity and faith. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is essentially saying that we are free to give what we want – or, more accurately, how we want to give – as long as we do it out of love for God. It's not about obligation or a need. It’s about expressing our faith and gratitude through giving. Let’s unpack each part: “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart…” – This is a metaphorical way of saying "you should give in the way that you feel most comfortable and appropriate.” It's not about following a strict plan, but about aligning your giving with your own desires and feelings. “[so let him give]” - This is the key instruction. “Let him give” means allow someone else to give what they’re able to. “not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” – This part is really important: “not grudgingly…” - This means we shouldn't be resentful or unwilling to give. We don’t want to feel like we shouldn’t . “or of necessity…” – This emphasizes that giving isn’t something we have to do; it’s a natural and loving thing to do. “for God loveth a cheerful giver.” - This is the core message. God adores generosity and happiness in those who give. It suggests that giving our time, talents, or resources to others is a sign of deep love and appreciation for God’s gift to us. In short: The verse encourages us to be generous and joyful in our giving because it demonstrates our faith and gratitude towards God. It's about letting God lead us how to share what we have. Why is this important? This verse speaks to the idea of a "Kingdom of God" – a community where everyone is encouraged to give generously. It’s about recognizing that God wants to bless us and that giving back is a way of showing our love for Him. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give examples of how we can practice generosity?