2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15

2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15     NASB

Chapter 8

1 Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in a great ordeal of affliction
their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond
their ability, they gave of their own accord, 4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, 5 and this,not
as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning,
so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well.

7 But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound
in this gracious work also. 8 I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might
become rich. 10 I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also
to desire to do it. 11 But now finish doing it also, so that just asthere was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it
by your ability. 12 For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For
this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality- 14 at this present time your abundance being a supply for their
need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality; 15 as it is written, “He whogatheredmuch did not
have too much, and he whogatheredlittle had no lack.”

1 For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints; 2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you
to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3 But I have sent the brethren,
in order that our boasting about you may not be made empty in this case, so that, as I was saying, you may be prepared; 4 otherwise if any Macedonians
come with me and find you unprepared, we-not to speak of you-will be put to shame by this confidence. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren
that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, so that the same would be ready as a bountiful gift
and not affected by covetousness.

6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do just as he
has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so
that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;

9 as it is written,