Administering the Gift
1 Now concerningthe ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you;
2 for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready ayear ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority.
3 Yet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this respect, that, as I said, you may be ready;
4 lest ifsomeMacedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this confident boasting.
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, whichyouhadpreviously promised, that it may be ready asamatterofgenerosity and not as a grudging obligation.
The Cheerful Giver
6 But thisIsay:He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 Soleteach onegiveas he purposes in his heart,not grudgingly or of necessity; forGod loves a cheerful giver.
8 And Godisable to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in allthings,may have an abundance for every good work.
9 As it is written:
# “He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.”
10 Now may He whosupplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you havesownand increase the fruits of yourrighteousness,
11 whileyouareenriched in everything for all liberality,which causes thanksgiving through us to God.
12 For the administration of this service not onlysupplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,
13 while, through the proof of this ministry, theyglorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and foryourliberalsharing with them and allmen,
14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceedinggrace of God in you.
15 Thanksbeto Godfor His indescribable gift!