2 Corinthians 9:5–13

⁵So I thought that I should encourage our coworkers to visit you before I do and make arrangements for this gift that you had already promised to give. Then it will be the blessing it was intended to be, and it won’t be something you’re forced to do. 

⁶Remember this: The farmer who plants a few seeds will have a very small harvest. But the farmer who plants because he has received God’s blessings will receive a harvest of God’s blessings in return. ⁷Each of you should give whatever you have decided. You shouldn’t be sorry that you gave or feel forced to give, since God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸Besides, God will give you his constantly overflowing kindness.^aThen, when you always have everything you need, you can do more and more good things. ⁹Scripture says, 

“The person with God’s approval gives freely to the poor. 

The things he does with God’s approval continue forever.” 

¹⁰God gives seed to the farmer and food to those who need to eat. God will also give you seed and multiply it. In your lives he will increase the things you do that have his approval. ¹¹God will make you rich enough so that you can always be generous. Your generosity will produce thanksgiving to God because of us. ¹²What you do to serve others not only provides for the needs of God’s people, but also produces more and more prayers of thanksgiving to God. ¹³You will honor God through this genuine act of service because of your commitment to spread the Good News of Christ and because of your generosity in sharing with them and everyone else.