2 Corinthians · Chapter 9
2 Corinthians 9
Berean Standard Bible · Public domain · Source credits
God Loves a Cheerful Giver
(1 Corinthians 16:1–4)
1Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you.
2For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting to the Macedonians that since last year you in Achaia were prepared to give. And your zeal has stirred most of them to do likewise.
3But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove empty, but that you will be prepared, just as I said.
4Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—to say nothing of you—would be ashamed of having been so confident.
5So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the bountiful gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not begrudgingly.
6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
7Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.*
8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
9As it is written:“He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor;His righteousness endures forever.”*
10Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness.
11You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, so that through us your giving will produce thanksgiving to God.
12For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.
13Because of the proof this ministry provides, the saints will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all the others.
14And their prayers for you will express their affection for you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.
15Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
Source notes
- 9:7 See Proverbs 22:8, LXX addition. Read Proverbs 22:8
- 9:9 Psalms 112:9 Read Psalms 112:9
Old Testament references
References from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Text from the Berean Standard Bible.
Proverbs 22:8He who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
Psalms 112:9He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.
Genesis 27:42When the words of her older son Esau were relayed to Rebekah, she sent for her younger son Jacob and told him, “Look, your brother Esau is consoling himself by plotting to kill you.
1 Samuel 20:23And as for the matter you and I have discussed, the LORD is a witness between you and me forever.”
2 Kings 22:18But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘As for the words that you heard,
Job 37:23The Almighty is beyond our reach; He is exalted in power! In His justice and great righteousness He does not oppress.
Psalms 45:1My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses to the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.
Genesis 33:11Please accept my gift that was brought to you, because God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.” So Jacob pressed him until he accepted.
1 Samuel 25:27Now let this gift your servant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow you.
1 Samuel 30:26When David arrived in Ziklag, he sent some of the plunder to his friends, the elders of Judah, saying, “Here is a gift for you from the plunder of the LORD’s enemies.”
2 Kings 5:15Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God, stood before him, and declared, “Now I know for sure that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.”
Psalms 41:1Blessed is the one who cares for the poor; the LORD will deliver him in the day of trouble.
Psalms 41:2The LORD will protect and preserve him; He will bless him in the land and refuse to surrender him to the will of his foes.
Psalms 41:3The LORD will sustain him on his bed of illness and restore him from his bed of sickness.