There are so many things we possess that we could give away for free. But we know that people don’t appreciate what is free; so we put a price tag on it. In the same manner, when God asks you to bring an offering to Him, He’s actually trying to figure out your price tag on Him. Your sacrifice reveals the value you put on Him.  It’s not that He uses the money. Giving to God is simply an avenue to express your love for Him.

So He says, don’t sacrifice to me under compulsion.

“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
~2 Corinthians 9:7

No! You don’t have to. Giving to God should be voluntary.

It is true that God said in Deuteronomy 16:16, “No man should appear before the Lord empty-handed.”  But you see, when you come to God and give Him an offering under compulsion, He would rather you kept the money back in your pocket. Giving to God must come from a cheerful heart; given in gratitude to Him. Don’t allow yourself to be coerced into sacrificing for God because it’s worthless to Him. It is a waste of your resources because it won’t reach the intended destination. To be acceptable, worship must be cheerful.

Simon of Cyrene didn’t voluntarily decide to carry the cross for Jesus, unlike Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus who also assisted Jesus after His crucifixion. Nobody told them to do what they did. Jesus had just been killed; they went to Pilate to obtain permission, voluntarily. They went up to Calvary, brought Jesus’ body down from the cross, washed Him, prepared Him for burial, wrapped him up in embalming clothes, put Him in the tomb and covered it up. Did anybody tell them to do that? That’s voluntary; that’s what He loves. God says, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for He loves a cheerful giver.