God Loves a Cheerful Giver 1For, indeed, concerning the ministration that is for the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you, 2for I have known your readiness of mind, which in your behalf I boast of to Macedonians, that Achaia hath been prepared a year ago, and the zeal of you did stir up the more part, 3and I sent the brethren, that our boasting on your behalf may not be made vain in this respect; that, according as I said, ye may be ready, 4lest if Macedonians may come with me, and find you unprepared, we -- we may be put to shame (that we say not -- ye) in this same confidence of boasting. 5Necessary, therefore, I thought it to exhort the brethren, that they may go before to you, and may make up before your formerly announced blessing, that this be ready, as a blessing, and not as covetousness. 6And this: He who is sowing sparingly, sparingly also shall reap; and he who is sowing in blessings, in blessings also shall reap; 7each one, according as he doth purpose in heart, not out of sorrow or out of necessity, for a cheerful giver doth God love, 8and God is able all grace to cause to abound to you, that in every thing always all sufficiency having, ye may abound to every good work, 9(according as it hath been written, 'He dispersed abroad, he gave to the poor, his righteousness doth remain to the age,') 10and may He who is supplying seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11in every thing being enriched to all liberality, which doth work through us thanksgiving to God, 12because the ministration of this service not only is supplying the wants of the saints, but is also abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13through the proof of this ministration glorifying God for the subjection of your confession to the good news of the Christ, and for the liberality of the fellowship to them and to all, 14and by their supplication in your behalf, longing after you because of the exceeding grace of God upon you; 15thanks also to God for His unspeakable gift! |
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