9I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem.G1063G3303G4012G1248G1519G40G2076G4053G3427G1125G52132For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving.G1063G1492G4288G5216G4288G3739G2744G5228G5216G3110G3754G882G3903G4070G575G2532G5216G2205G1537G2042G41193But I am sending these brothers to be sure you really are ready, as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you.G1161G3992G80G3363G2257G2745G5228G5216G2758G1722G5129G3313G2443G2531G3004G5600G39034We would be embarrassed—not to mention your own embarrassment—if some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren’t ready after all I had told them!G3381G4458G1437G3110G2064G4862G1698G2532G2147G5209G532G2249G3363G3004G3363G5210G2617G1722G5026G5287G27465So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly.G3767G2233G316G3870G80G2443G4281G1519G5209G2532G4294G5216G2129G4293G5026G1511G2092G3779G5613G2129G2532G3361G5618G41246Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.G1161G5124G4687G5340G2325G2532G5340G2532G4687G1909G2129G2325G2532G1909G21297You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”G1538G2531G4255G2588G3361G1537G3077G2228G1537G318G1063G2316G25G2431G13958And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.G1161G2316G1415G4052G3956G5485G4052G1519G5209G2443G3842G2192G3956G841G1722G3956G4052G1519G3956G18G20419As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”G2531G1125G4650G1325G3993G846G1343G3306G1519G16510For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.G1161G2023G4690G4687G2532G5524G740G1519G1035G2532G4129G5216G4703G2532G837G1081G5216G134311Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.G4148G1722G3956G1519G3956G572G3748G2716G1223G2257G2169G231612So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.G3754G1248G5026G3009G3756G3440G2076G4322G5303G40G235G4052G2532G1223G4183G2169G231613As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.G1223G1382G5026G1248G1392G2316G1909G5216G3671G5292G1519G2098G5547G2532G572G2842G1519G846G2532G1519G395614And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you.G2532G846G1162G5228G5216G1971G5209G1223G5235G5485G2316G1909G521315Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!G1161G5485G2316G1909G846G411G1431
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