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.
Parallel translations
- WEB Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.
- 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.
- NASB Each one must do just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for 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.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Each person should give as they have resolved in their own heart, without reluctance or pressure, because God loves a cheerful giver. The attitude matters as much as the amount.
Overview
Paul makes clear that acceptable giving is free, deliberate, and joyful. It is decided in the heart, not coerced. The famous declaration that 'God loves a cheerful giver' reveals that the Lord delights in generosity offered gladly, reflecting the joyful, self-giving love He Himself has shown in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- 2 Cor 8:12For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
- Acts 20:35In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
- 1 Chr 29:17I know, my God, that You test the heart and delight in uprightness. All these things I have given willingly and with an upright heart, and now I have seen Your people who are present here giving joyfully and willingly to You.
- Exod 25:2“Tell the Israelites to bring Me an offering. You are to receive My offering from every man whose heart compels him.
- Prov 11:25A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
- Deut 15:7–11If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother.
- Prov 22:9A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
- 1 Pet 4:9Show hospitality to one another without complaining.
- Rom 12:8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
- Exod 35:5Take from among you an offering to the LORD. Let everyone whose heart is willing bring an offering to the LORD: gold, silver, and bronze;
- Isa 32:8But a noble man makes honorable plans; he stands up for worthy causes.
- Prov 23:6–8Do not eat the bread of a stingy man, and do not crave his delicacies;
- Deut 15:14You are to furnish him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. You shall give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you.
- Jas 5:9Do not complain about one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. Look, the Judge is standing at the door!
- Isa 32:5No longer will a fool be called noble, nor a scoundrel be respected.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
In Christ all God's promises are 'Yes and Amen'; though rich, he became poor to make us rich, and in him God reconciles the world, making us new creations.
How 2 Corinthians 9:7 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.