2 Corinthians 9:7
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.
*Strong's Ex. Conc. No.
Cheerful: ungrudgingly, joyous
From the Greek word 'hilaros' (pronounced hil-ar-os'): spontaneous non-reluctant giving.
Though this description of the word cheerful is used only once in all of Scripture, it has a big impact here. Here the word cheerful refers to the nature of giving to support the mission to spread the gospel far and wide.
Exodus 25:2, when the temple of the Lord was being built, the Lord required a willing offering (of goods). And, again, in Deuteronomy 15:10, a generous heart received God's blessing.
God blesses the willing giver, the one who wants to see souls saved; the one who desires to advance the kingdom of God.
2 Corinthians 8:12, when given eagerly the gift given is acceptable. Cheerfully giving depends on the state of one's heart. When our hearts are right with God, everything else follows suit.
Mark 14:3 tells us of the woman who came to where Jesus was fellowshiping with friends with a box of alabaster in her hands. She broke it open and poured all of it out onto Jesus' head.
Can you imagine enjoying a meal at a new friend's house and someone just walks in, opens a bottle (small flask) of sweet oil and pours it on your head? Yet she did just that. Willingly sacrificing a year's worth of wages to purchase this oil just so she could anoint Jesus' head.
Whether to honor Him as Chief Priest that He might be presentable to God (Exodus 28:41, 29:7; Psalm 133:2) or prepare Him for death (2 Chronicles 16:14; John 12:39-40), the oil was poured onto the top of His head. Eager to honor Christ with her gift, she strolled into Simon the Leper's house, broke open the valuable box/bottle and poured every drop onto the top of Christ's head, filling the dining area with the sweet scent.
The anointing indicated Christ being consecrated: set apart to be holy unto the Lord God by becoming the sin offering which would take away the sins of God's people. Herein is the setting in which the woman gave out of the joy of her heart. Her intention matched her giving. Would that we should be so generous when we give to the Lord.
Poor In Spirit - Nikki Mathis
Alabaster Heart - Kalley
Gaze of The One - Destiny McDonald
Where You'll Find Me - First15 Worship
Find Me At the Feet of Jesus - Christy Nockels
Worthy of It All - Cece Winans
You Deserve The Glory - Juanita Bynum
