Think of a gift you have received that was particularly meaningful to you. What made it meaningful to you? My boss threw me a celebratory party when I chose to leave my position at the University of Michigan to start a non-profit with my husband. I loved the administrative team I managed, and it was hard to leave.
What made such an impression on me was the thoughtful gifts I was presented with at the party, which represented my passions and interests so well—including a watercolor with a favorite Scripture verse in calligraphy (I take calligraphy classes), a personalized journal (I love to write!), and some U-M golf balls (I play with my husband occasionally). But even more than the wonderful gifts was seeing the happiness of those celebrating with me. The joy they had when presenting me with their gifts touched me.
This aligns with Acts 20:35, where Paul quotes Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” This truth is often expressed in our words but not always practiced in our actions. In today’s culture, giving is often viewed as a transactional act, and people frequently give with strings attached, expecting something in return for their efforts. But Jesus challenged this mindset head-on: “And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full” (Luke 6:34 NIV).
Real generosity, God-honoring generosity, isn’t driven by what we might get but by what we’re willing to give. Consider the words of Paul:
“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” (2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV).
What kind of gift would make you feel genuinely appreciative? A last-minute, guilt-driven gift tossed your way out of obligation? Or a thoughtful gift, given freely and joyfully—just because you’re loved? When it comes to giving, motive matters. It matters to us and, more importantly, to God.
Paul wrote these words to encourage the Corinthian believers to support fellow Christians in Judea who were struggling. He didn’t twist arms. He didn’t shame them into giving. He simply reminded them: God delights in a joyful heart. The Greek word Paul uses for decided (proaireō) implies a settled, intentional choice, not a reaction to pressure or guilt. Paul contrasts this with giving “reluctantly or under compulsion.”
The Greek expression for reluctantly literally means “with sadness or grief.” A grudging or reluctant giver gives from a heart made sorrowful at the thought of parting with money. A forced giver, or one under compulsion, gives because he feels pressured. This giving drains the soul and doesn’t please you or God.
In contrast, God loves a cheerful giver who desires to bless others out of a heart filled with love and joy. When we give this way, we reflect the generous heart of our Father. James 1:17 tells us, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” God is not a reluctant giver. He delights to give. He gives with joy. And when we give like him, we discover the secret: Joy follows generosity.
Joy produced through generous giving can even be proven scientifically—the nature of being a cheerful or joyous giver has been researched. In a 2006 study, Jorge Moll and his colleagues at the National Institutes of Health found that when people give to charities, it activates brain regions associated with pleasure, social connection, and trust, creating a “warm glow” effect. Scientists also believe that altruistic behavior releases endorphins in the brain, which help reinforce a sense of joy.
True joy isn’t tied to comfort or abundance. One of the clearest examples of this in the New Testament is the generosity of the Macedonian churches, described in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5.
Despite facing poverty and hardship, these believers gave with overflowing joy. Their story is a powerful reminder that faith, not circumstances, defines how we give and live.
Macedonia—home to the cities of Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea—was once the heart of a mighty empire under Philip II and his son, Alexander the Great. However, after falling to Rome in the 2nd century BC, the region was carved into a Roman province and placed under imperial control. Life under Roman rule was anything but prosperous: crushing taxes, land seizures favoring Roman elites, and constant disruptions to agriculture and trade brought waves of economic hardship. Over time, these burdens took a heavy toll on the population, leaving many Macedonians struggling to survive.
Most early Christians in this region were from the lower classes—slaves, merchants, working women like Lydia (Acts 16:14), and others often marginalized in society (see 1 Corinthians 1:26-29). Their commitment to Christ likely cost them business, employment, and social standing. By every human measure, they had every reason to receive help, not give it.
Yet they gave. And they gave joyfully. Paul highlights four extraordinary traits that set their generosity apart. What can we learn from their joyous giving?
“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia…” (2 Corinthians 8:1 ESV).
Their joy and generosity weren’t rooted in personal abundance. The grace of God empowered them. This was a Spirit-fueled joy, unshaken by poverty or pressure.
Paul notes that the Macedonians gave voluntarily and sacrificially. They didn’t give out of their excess; they gave beyond what was comfortable: “They gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord” (v. 3).
This was giving at its purest; driven not by duty, but by love, overflowing from hearts too full to hold back.
“Begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints” (v. 4).
Can you imagine it? They weren’t just willing to give—they were begging for the chance. That’s how deeply the Macedonians longed to help their struggling brothers and sisters in Jerusalem. For them, giving wasn’t a burden! It was a holy opportunity to serve.
“They gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us” (v. 5).
This was the foundation of their joy. Before they gave money, time, or effort, they gave themselves. True joy begins with complete surrender to God. When our hearts belong to him, everything else flows from that relationship. This kind of giving isn’t transactional; it’s transformational. Joy isn’t rooted in how much we have to give but in who we belong to.
The Macedonians’ example reveals a deep spiritual truth: joy and generosity are not determined by our bank accounts, but by our connection to Christ. They didn’t wait for ideal conditions—they gave because they had been transformed by grace.
In a world that says, “hold on to what you have,” they opened their hands and hearts. For the Macedonians, their generosity became a joyful partnership with God’s mission, not just a charitable act.
🖋️Reflect and Journal
Are you being led by the Spirit to give joyfully, sacrificially, and willingly? Given the following prompt, set aside some time to reflect and journal your thoughts: Joyful giving begins with joyful belonging.
Do you want to learn how to cultivate this kind of joy in your life and walk with Christ?
Explore other thought-provoking posts on our Fruits of Faith Blog and look for Gerald’s book, Abounding Joy, which is coming soon to Amazon. We’d love to walk with you on this journey of grace-filled living.
God's Word. Your Victory.
We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.