## God Loves a Cheerful Giver 

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For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints; 

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for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal stirred up most of them. 

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But I have sent the brothers, 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; 

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lest if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we--not to speak of you--be put to shame in this certainty _of ours_. 

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So I regarded it necessary to encourage the brothers that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised blessing, so that the same would be ready as a blessing and not as a begrudging obligation. 

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Now this _I say_, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows with blessing will also reap with blessing. 

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Each one _must do_ just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 

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And God is able to make every grace abound to you, so that in everything at every time having every sufficiency, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 

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as it is written, "He scattered abroad, he gave to the needy, His righteousness stands forever." 

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Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness; 

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you will be enriched in everything for all generosity, which through us is bringing about thanksgiving to God. 

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For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also abounding through many thanksgivings to God. 

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Because of the proven character given by this ministry, they will glorify God for _your_ obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the generosity of your fellowship toward them and toward all, 

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while they also, by prayer on your behalf, long for you because of the surpassing grace of God on you. 

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Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!