2 Corinthians 9:1–15

There is no need^r for me to write to you about this service^s to the Lord’s people.^{t 2}For I know your eagerness to help,^u and I have been boasting^v about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year^w you in Achaia^x were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. ³But I am sending the brothers^y 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.^{z 4}For if any Macedonians^a come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. ⁵So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers^b 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,^c not as one grudgingly given.^d

Generosity Encouraged

⁶Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.^{e 7}Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give,^f not reluctantly or under compulsion,^g for God loves a cheerful giver.^{h 8}And God is ableⁱ to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,^j you will abound in every good work. ⁹As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts^k to the poor;

their righteousness endures forever.”^al

¹⁰Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food^m will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.^{n 11}You will be enriched^o in every way so that you can be generous^p on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.^q

¹²This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs^r of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.^{s 13}Because of the service^t by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God^u for the obedience that accompanies your confession^v of the gospel of Christ,^w and for your generosity^x in sharing with them and with everyone else. ¹⁴And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. ¹⁵Thanks be to God^y for his indescribable gift!^z