2 CORINTHIANS Chapter 9 - Sowing Generously

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)