2 Corinthians 9:1-15
“There
is no need for me to write to you about this service to THE LORD’s people.
2 For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about
it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in
Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to
action.
3 But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting
about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as
I said you would be.
4 For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared,
we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident.
5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you
in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised.
Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.
6 Remember this: Whoever sows
sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap
generously.
7 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.
8 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.
9 As it is written:
“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
THEIR RIGHTEOUSNESS endures forever.”
10 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.
11 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.
12 This service that you perform is
not only supplying the needs of THE LORD’s people but is also overflowing in
many expressions of thanks to GOD.
13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise GOD for the obedience that accompanies your confession of THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
14 And in their prayers for you their
hearts will go out to you, because of THE SURPASSING GRACE GOD has given you.
15 Thanks be to GOD for HIS INDESCRIBABLE GIFT!”
