“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
The Saints in Jerusalem were hungry. Poor Saints in Macedonia gave beyond their power, and Paul invited Corinth to give too, because Jesus gave first.
The Saints in Jerusalem were poor and hungry, and Paul was gathering a collection for them from the branches he had founded. The Saints in Macedonia were poor themselves and in “a great trial of affliction,” yet they begged to give, and gave “beyond their power,” because they “first gave their own selves to the Lord.” Paul reminded the Corinthians of the Savior: “though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”
Then he taught them how to give. “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” Each person should give “as he purposeth in his heart … not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” Their gifts would feed the Saints in Jerusalem and bring “many thanksgivings unto God.” Paul ended, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”
Who’s who
Paul: the Apostle gathering help for the poor
The Macedonian Saints: poor members who gave with joy
Titus: Paul’s companion, sent to help gather the gifts
Where and when
The branches of Macedonia and Achaia, with the gift carried to Jerusalem.
Watch for the Savior
Watch how every gift points back to the Savior’s gift.
A gift no one could earn. That is His gift to us.2
What the text does not say
The story does not say only the rich can give. The poorest Saints, in Macedonia, gave “beyond their power,” and Paul says a gift is accepted “according to that a man hath.”1
Part 6 of 7
Look to Him
He was rich and became poor for us. Every gift we give follows His.
Elder Holland’s question: “Are we not all beggars?”
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9
Mormon
Real intent
“For if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing.” Moroni 7:6
Ask Heavenly Father to bring one person to mind who needs something you can give: time, money, attention or skill. Then purpose in your heart to give it.
Try it today
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This week:0 of 7 days
Seven days of cheerful giving. Come again tomorrow.
A quiet moment
“His unspeakable gift.”
Read 2 Corinthians 8:9 and 2 Corinthians 9:15 slowly. Then thank Jesus Christ for becoming poor so you could be rich, and ask how you can give like Him. 2 Corinthians 8:9
A verse to hold
Talk about it
Why did the poor Saints in Macedonia want to give so much?
What does it mean to sow bountifully?
How can someone with very little be a cheerful giver?
What is God’s “unspeakable gift”?
Open
For adults and deeper study
Go deeper
Longer readings, harder questions, and where to study next. Each one says what it is before you click.
Apostle
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “Are We Not All Beggars?” (2014)
Our duty to the poor, King Benjamin’s question, and why rich or poor we “do what we can.”4
Everything on this page as a 11-page letter-size PDF: the map, scenes, cards, activity, word studies, tracker, Go deeper and sources. For home, class or a quiet Sunday.
The Cheerful Giver is part of the Scripture Story Sketch Notes for the New Testament, set alongside Come, Follow Me for September 13–19, 2027 (2 Corinthians 8–13).
Independent study notes from Weak Things, not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Scripture quotations are from the King James Version. The story is told in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9; the insights in “Look closer” are labeled by source.
