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The Bible · 1087 of 1189

2 Corinthians 9

1.For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: 2. For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. 3. Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: 4. Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting. 5. Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness. 6. But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9. (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11. Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 12. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 13. Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; 14. And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. 15. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Asked of Guide

Why does Paul urge cheerful, planned giving instead of spontaneous or pressured gifts?

Paul insists on planned, willing generosity because it shapes character and community: he tells them to “make up beforehand your bounty” so giving is “a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.” He links the manner of giving to fruit: “He which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully,” and God “loveth a cheerful giver,” so the motive matters as much as the gift.

Paul ties this practical counsel to theological promises: God will “make all grace abound” and multiply the giver’s resources, and the collection both meets needs and produces thanksgiving and prayer for the Corinthians. This matches themes in Acts where shared resources build the church and in 1 Corinthians where orderly, loving practice matters for witness.

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