ASV

2 Corinthians 9

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1For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

2for I know your readiness, of which I glory on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia hath been prepared for a year past; and your zeal hath stirred up very many of them.

3But I have sent the brethren, that our glorying on your behalf may not be made void in this respect; that, even as I said, ye may be prepared:

4lest by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be put to shame in this confidence.

5I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your aforepromised bounty, that the same might be ready as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion.

6But this [I say], He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

7[ Let] each man [do] according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

8And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work:

9as it is written, He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor; His righteousness abideth for ever.

10And he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness:

11ye being enriched in everything unto all liberality, which worketh through us thanksgiving to God.

12For the ministration of this service not only filleth up the measure of the wants of the saints, but aboundeth also through many thanksgivings unto God;

13seeing that through the proving [of you] by this ministration they glorify God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of [your] contribution unto them and unto all;

14while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, long after you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.

15Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

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2 Corinthians 9:1-5 Verses 1-5

When we would have others do good, we must act toward them prudently and tenderly, and give them time. Christians should consider what is for the credit of their profession, and endeavour to adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour in all things. The duty of ministering to the saints is so plain, that there would seem no need to exhort Christians to it; yet self-love contends so powerfully against the love of Christ, that it is often necessary to stir up their minds by way of remembrance.

2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Verses 6-15

Money bestowed in charity, may to the carnal mind seem thrown away, but when given from proper principles, it is seed sown, from which a valuable increase may be expected. It should be given carefully. Works of charity, like other good works, should be done with thought and design. Due thought, as to our circumstances, and those we are about to relieve, will direct our gifts for charitable uses. Help should be given freely, be it more or less; not grudgingly, but cheerfully. While some scatter, and yet increase; others withhold more than is meet, and it tends to poverty. If we had more faith and love, we should waste less on ourselves, and sow more in hope of a plentiful increase. Can a man lose by doing that with which God is pleased? He is able to make all grace abound towards us, and to abound in us; to give a large increase of spiritual and of temporal good things. He can make us to have enough in all things; and to be content with what we have. God gives not only enough for ourselves, but that also wherewith we may supply the wants of others, and this should be as seed to be sown. We must show the reality of our subjection to the gospel, by works of charity. This will be for the credit of our profession, and to the praise and glory of God. Let us endeavour to copy the example of Christ, being unwearied in doing good, and deeming it more blessed to give than to receive. Blessed be God for the unspeakable gift of his grace, whereby he enables and inclines some of his people to bestow upon others, and others to be grateful for it; and blessed be his glorious name to all eternity, for Jesus Christ, that inestimable gift of his love, through whom this and every other good thing, pertaining to life and godliness, are freely given unto us, beyond all expression, measure, or bounds.

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A Tenth 2 Corinthians 9:7

Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

Abundance 2 Corinthians 9:8

And 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.

Achaia: Benevolence of the Christians In 2 Corinthians 9:2

For 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.

Agriculture: Facts About 2 Corinthians 9:6

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

Alms: Commandments and Practices Concerning 2 Corinthians 9:5–7

So 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. / Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. / Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

Asking for Money 2 Corinthians 9:7

Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

Being Greedy 2 Corinthians 9:7

Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

Being Selfish 2 Corinthians 9:7

Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

Being Thankful 2 Corinthians 9:15

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Beneficence: General Scriptures Concerning 2 Corinthians 9:1–15

Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you. / For 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. / But 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.

Blessing: Spiritual, from God 2 Corinthians 9:8

And 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.

Botany: Lily, Beauty of 2 Corinthians 9:6

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

Bread: Figurative 2 Corinthians 9:10

Now 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.

Budgeting 2 Corinthians 9:6

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

Character of Saints: Liberal 2 Corinthians 9:13

Because 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.

Cheerful 2 Corinthians 9:7

Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

Emulation: General Scriptures Concerning 2 Corinthians 9:1–5

Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you. / For 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. / But 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.

Financial Curses 2 Corinthians 9:6

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

Financial Problems 2 Corinthians 9:7

Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

Foster Care 2 Corinthians 9:6–8

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. / Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver. / And 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.

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