2 Corinthians
9
- There is no need for me to write to you about
this service to the saints.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will
also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
- Each man should give what he has decided
in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a
cheerful giver.
- And God is able to make all grace abound
to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you
will abound in every good work.
- As it is written: "He has scattered
abroad his gifts to the poor; his 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 made rich in every way so that
you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will
result in thanksgiving to God.
- This service that you perform is not only
supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions
of thanks to God.
- Because of the service by which you have
proved yourselves, men 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.
- And in their prayers for you their hearts
will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.
- Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift
!
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