Sowing
Generously
There
is no need for me to write to you
About
this Service to the Saints.
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 the 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 though 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 man should give
What
he has decided in his heart to give,
Not
Reluctantly or under Compulsion,
FOR
GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER.
8
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.
9
As it is written:
'He
has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor;
His
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 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.
12
This Service you perform
Is
not only supplying the needs of God's people
But
is also Overflowing in many Expressions of Thanks to God.
13
Because of the service
By
which you have proved yourselves,
Men
will Praise God for the Obedience
That
accompanies your Confession of the Gospel
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!
(2
Corinthians 9)
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