Chapter
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

2 Corinthians 9:7
ESV Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
NIV Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
NASB Each one must do just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
CSB Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.
NLT You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. 'For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.'
KJV Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
NKJV So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

What does 2 Corinthians 9:7 mean?

Paul is providing the Corinthians with universal, biblical principles about giving to meet the needs of other believers. Two more are found in this verse.

First, God calls on every believer to decide in his or her heart and mind how much to give. They should then to follow through on that conviction. That number could be a set amount in a specific instance. It might be a percentage of one's income on a regular basis. It should never be more than one has, Paul wrote in the previous chapter (2 Corinthians 8:12). It should be in proportion to what has been received. The important point is that it is an individual choice based on conscience and a person's own relationship with God.

Why is this so important? It matters to God that Christian giving always be voluntary. It is not a tax or an obligation. A gift of money or anything else is only called a gift when the giver is not obligated to hand it over.

The second truth about giving in this verse is this: God loves cheerful givers. The opportunity to give to meet the needs of others should delight God's children. When it does, He is delighted in them.
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app:
BibleRef.com is part of Got Questions Ministries

For answers to your Bible questions, please visit