2 Corinthians 9

1 I really don't need to write to you about this offering for God's people.

With reference, indeed, to the fund for your fellow Christians, it is quite superfluous for me to say anything to you.

2 I know how keen you are to help—I was boasting about this to those in Macedonia that you in Achaia have been ready for over a year, and your enthusiasm has encouraged many of them to give.

I know, of course, your willingness to help, and I am always boasting of it to the Macedonians. I tell them that you in Greece have been ready for a year past; and it was really your zeal that stimulated most of them.

3 But I'm sending these brothers so that my boasting about you regarding this won't be proved wrong, and that you're prepared, just as I said you would be.

So my reason for sending our friends is to prevent what we said about you from proving, in this particular matter, an empty boast, and to enable you to be as well prepared as I have been saying that you are.

4 This is just in case some Macedonians should come with me and find you unprepared. We, not to mention you, would be really embarrassed if this project failed!

Otherwise, if any Macedonians were to come with me, and find you unprepared, we – to say nothing of you – should feel ashamed of our present confidence.

5 That's why I decided I should ask these brothers to visit you in advance, and complete the arrangements to collect this offering, so that it would be ready as a gift, and not as something demanded.

Therefore I think it necessary to beg the friends to go to you in advance, and to complete the arrangements for the gift, which you have already promised, so that it may be ready, as a gift, before I come, and not look as if it were being given under pressure.

6 I want to remind you of this: If you only sow a little, you'll only reap a little; if you sow plenty, you'll reap plenty.

Remember the saying – “Scanty sowing, scanty harvest; plentiful sowing, plentiful harvest.”

7 Everybody should give as they've already decided—not reluctantly, or because they have to, for God loves those who give with a cheerful spirit.

Let everyone give as he has determined before hand, not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.

8 God is able to graciously provide you with everything, so that you will always have all you need—with plenty to help others too.

God has power to shower all kinds of blessings on you, so that, having, under all circumstances and on all occasions, all that you can need, you may be able to shower all kinds of benefits on others.

9 As Scripture says, “He gives generously to the poor; his generosity is everlasting.” (aiōn g165)

(As scripture says – “He shared freely, he gave to the poor; his righteousness continues for ever.” (aiōn g165)

10 God, who provides seed to the sower and gives bread for food, will provide and multiply your “seed” and increase your harvest of generosity.

And he who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for eating, will supply you with seed, and cause it to increase, and will multiply the fruits of your righteousness).

11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can always be very generous, and your generosity will lead others to be grateful to God.

Rich in all things yourselves, you will be able to show liberality to all, which, with our help, will cause thanksgiving to be offered to God.

12 When you serve in this way, not only are the needs of God's people met, but also many will give grateful thanks to God.

For the rendering of a public service such as this, not only relieves the needs of your fellow Christians, but also results in the offering to God of many a thanksgiving.

13 By giving this offering you show your true nature, and those who receive it will thank God for your obedience, since it shows your commitment to the good news of Christ and your generosity in giving to them and everyone else.

Through the evidence afforded by the service rendered, you cause people to praise God for your fidelity to your profession of faith in the good news of the Christ, as well as for the liberality of your contributions for them and for all others.

14 They will pray for you with much fondness because of God's abundant grace working through you.

And they also, in their prayers for you, express their longing to see you, because of the surpassing love of God displayed toward you.

15 Thank God for his gift that is far greater than words can express!

All thanks to God for his inestimable gift!