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

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Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 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. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever."
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Corinthians 9:6-11

Commentary

Many people read this verse, see that God loves a cheerful giver, decide that they aren’t cheerful, and decide not to give. However, if you’re currently a grumpy giver rather than a cheerful giver, what do you think God would prefer? Do you think he’d rather you turn into a non-giver, or into a cheerful giver? Examine your heart for the source of your grumpiness! Lack of giving is often a reflection of the state of our heart, not our wallet. We don’t acknowledge God as the source of everything we have, so we have no thankfulness, and see no need to worship God by giving.

The lead up to the big whammy at the end of the verse is “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give”. So, step 1 is to decide in your heart what you are going to give. Many of us only give on impulse, not deciding in our heart whatever to give, but letting spur of the moment emotions guide of giving. So, when you’re doing your budget, that’s a good time to examine your heart and decide in your heart what to give. Then follow through with what you’ve decided in your heart.

The verses before and after talk about the blessings of generosity. It talks about how abundant sowing leads to an abundant harvest and how God supplies all our seed to sow anyway. But many times we are given seed for the purpose of sowing, and instead we grind it in to flour and eat it, even when we are already full.