Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation.
II Corinthians 9:5 NKJV
The Corinthians had given a pledge to give a generous gift for those in need back in Israel. Paul was genuinely grateful for their heart to give sacrificially. He encouraged others with their pledge. Now it had to be collected and transported to those in need.
In those days you couldn’t use Venmo, wire transfers or even checks. The only way to get money from one place to another was to transport the actual money. This must’ve been pretty dangerous.
Paul was concerned about two things: The Corinthians not fulfilling their pledge, or that their giving would turn from a gift to an obligation or a debt.
God loves a cheerful giver because He is a cheerful giver. I get to imitate the divine nature when I give. God is not obligated to give anything. His giving is always freely and cheerfully given. He loves it when his children do the same.
Gracious Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your many gifts. Help me to be generous just like You. Amen.
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