Shared Word Translation
2 Corinthians 9
The Collection and Readiness
For concerning the ministry to the holy ones, it is unnecessary for me to write to you, for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, that Achaia has been ready since last year; and your zeal has stirred up most of them.
But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be, lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say you—would be put to shame in this confidence.
Therefore I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance the generous gift you had promised, so that it may be ready as a blessing and not as something forced.
The Measure of Generosity
The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows generously will also reap generously. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in everything at all times, you may abound in every good work.
As it is written,
“He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God.
Thanksgiving to God
For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the holy ones but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. Through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God because of your obedience in the confession of the good news of Christ and the generosity of your sharing with them and with all.
And in their prayer for you, they long for you because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.