“Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV
When I went to Guatemala in 2010 I fell in love with the people. They’re some of the most giving people you can meet. Our group worked with “the church under the bridge.” Leaving at the end of our week was so difficult. We’d all become so close to the people in the community and especially the pastor, his wife and their adorable daughter.
Just before we got on the bus the pastor made a presentation interpreted through Hector, our missionary. The pastor’s wife had bought gifts for each of us girls on the trip in gratitude for our help and to let us know how she loved our time together. The huge smile on her face revealed a very cheerful giver.
It was difficult to accept gifts from someone who had so little, but we could tell she was thrilled to bless us. A truly humbling moment for me. You see, I love gift-giving but I’m not always the best at receiving. She presented us all with key chains made in Guatemala.
I still have mine today because a present from a cheerful giver is a treasure, no matter what the dollar value. You see, there’s a BIG difference in receiving a gift from someone who wants to bless you rather than being the recipient of a present from someone you can tell, felt ‘obligated’ to gift you. Even if it’s something you want; it feels empty, almost awkward.
I can understand why God had Paul write this verse. God doesn’t want anything from us that is coerced. The NLT words it like this, “And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure.”
When you truly understand how much God loves you and how much He’s given on your behalf, having the heart of a cheerful giver will come naturally and you’ll end up with the heart of this amazing Guatemalan woman!
Prayer
Father…I thank You for the gift of Your love. It overwhelms me to imagine how difficult it must have been to follow through on Your plan to save the world when You knew it would cost You Your son. Help me to have your heart so I give, not out of duty, but purely out of love. May I have the heart of a cheerful giver and find joy in blessing others. In Jesus Name…Amen
[tweetthis]God loves a cheerful giver :)[/tweetthis]
I’d love if you would join me and some other amazing women on the mission’s trip to Guatemala, focussed on helping the women of Guatemala.
Saturday, February 24 – Sunday, March 4, 2018
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- 2 Corinthians 9:7
- Deuteronomy 15:10
- Proverbs 11:25
- 1 Chronicles 29:9
If you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.
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Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!
YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis, Soul Survival – Donna Reidland,
TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell ELLEN’S PICKS– Ellen Graf-Martin

Hi Sherry,
I’m so glad we’re neighbors at Holley’s place today too! What a beautiful and sweet gift that keychain is and what a wonderful memory of your time in Guatemala! When we receive gifts from those that have so little to offer we are humbled and pointed to God’s great gift to us, even though it sometimes feels hard to receive a gift like the one you have. But I love that it reminds you to be a cheerful giver for that is truly what God enjoys and honors! Sending much love to you! xoxo
Valerie,
I’m receiving the love <3 Thanks girl 🙂
~Sherry
xoxo
Wonderful story of being a cheerful giver and the importance of receiving the gift as well as being a cheerful gift giver.
Thanks Debbie 🙂 Praying you have a blessed day.
~Sherry
xoxo
I’ve heard from so many who have been on short-term trips that they received far more from the people they served than they ever were able to give. Blessings to you as you return next year!
Michele,
That is the truth. Whenever we give for God we seem to be the one receiving the blessing. #Godseconomy
~Sherry
xoxo
Love this story! What a sweet glimpse into the heart of God! XO
Liz,
She truly had the heart of God!
~Sherry
xoxo
“A heart to give, not out of duty, but purely out of love.” – What a beautiful definition of a cheerful giver, Sherry.
Crystal,
That really is the heart I want. Praying you have a blessed day!
~Sherry
xoxo
Well, you my friend are an awesome giver. 🙂 So sweet of you to send the book. — And, isn’t it so true that it’s easier to give than to receive? What’s up with that? I don’t like to feel I’m inconveniencing anyone, I think is a lot of it. But, giving’s so fun. 🙂 Didn’t you make that mission trip last year, too? Thanks for sharing, sweet friend. xoxo
Brenda,
I did go to Guatemala again earlier this year in March with Todd. The Guatemalan people are in my heart <3 I feel exactly the same a you with receiving--gifts and help. I most often feel that I'm inconveniencing people too. An issue of self-value I think. I never want to expect things from others, but have felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit to go deeper on why I respond like this. Praying we both grow in the knowledge of who and whose we are!
Hope the book leaves you refreshed 🙂
Love ya!
~Sherry
xoxo
I know how you feel, Sherry! When we went to El Salvador, the sweet ladies blessed us with so many hand-made gifts. On one hand I felt so bad taking home more than I brought, but on the other hand, I knew it was blessing them as much as me to receive their gifts. Such a reminder of God’s love for us! Undeserved but much appreciated. I treasure my gifts from those summers. Thanks for sharing this and bringing back such tender moments.
Lisa,
I love your heart for people! From reading your blog I see a woman who loves God deeply and feels the same about those He’s created. Hope we get to meet face-to-face one day…this side of heaven 🙂
~Sherry
xoxo
What a beautiful gift! You are right, there is such a difference when we give cheerfully.
Sarah,
Thanks for stopping by!
~Sherry
xoxo