“God loves a cheerful giver.” This passage from 2 Corinthians 9:7 was read at church recently. I know the pastor who read the passage and discussed it in his homily (sermon). He is one of the happiest people I know. He is also a cheerful giver.
Some Bible passages are clearly meant to instruct us on how to live well and contribute to a healthy, vibrant, well-functioning society. This is one such passage.
When Christ was asked which of the commandments is greatest, he indicated, “Love God and love your neighbor” ((Matthew 22:36-40). Being a cheerful giver absolutely falls within “love your neighbor.”
We can give in all kinds of ways: time, talent, and treasure. How one person can give sometimes looks different than how the next person gives. One person may be able to contribute more financially to a nonprofit organization while another person may have more time to volunteer – both types of giving are needed. As an introvert, I find that my “social giving” happens best in one-on-one conversations – listening attentively to the socially modest or withdrawn person who may be otherwise overlooked in social situations. Gregarious extroverts, on the other hand, can be more effective as an MC to raise money at a nonprofit’s fundraiser (asking me to MC an event wouldn’t achieve much!). Being attentive to what individuals and communities need is – inherently – step one of being a cheerful giver. We can only give attentively and usefully when we make a point of noticing what others need. We then step up and give as we can; preferably, to the point of being stretched ourselves (a person I know often says, “There’s always enough when we all give what we can”). Giving is most thoughtful when we give more than an amount that is easy to give – whether it be time, talent, or treasure.
Part of “the human condition” is that most of us have “room for improvement” in how we live our lives. Part of a determined discipline to continually live better is to continually give more than we are naturally inclined to do. Most of us can give more – whether giving more out of our pocket book or by making more time to listen to someone, help someone with a project, or volunteering with a social service agency. There’s also the matter of giving “cheerfully.” The more cheerful we can become as givers, the better the world becomes (there’s the adage of leaving the world better than the way we found it!).
The fruit of cheerfully contributing to other people’s well-being multiples itself in all kinds of ways. Cheerful giving results in people’s and community’s needs being more fully met. It contributes to socially positive communities in which people get along well. Being a cheerful giver also takes our attention off of ourselves – which, when done rightfully – adds to our own happiness as a “cheerful by-product” of contributing to the well-being of the people and communities around us.
Kim Burkhardt blogs at A Parish Catechist and The Books of the Ages. If you are a new visitor, it would be great to have you follow this blog (thank you!). If you know someone who would like this blog post, please share it with them (thank you!).
