God Loves a Cheerful Giver
(Leviticus 22:17-33)

1For it is superfluous for me to write to you now concerning the service for the saints. 2For I know your readiness, which I boast of to Macedonians concerning you, that Achaia has been prepared from a year ago, and your zeal has been provoking the greater number.

3But I have sent the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not be made void, that you may be prepared, as I have been saying. 4Otherwise, if Macedonians should come with me and find you unprepared, we—not that we might say you—would be put to shame in this confidence. 5Therefore I esteemed it necessary to exhort the brothers that they should go before unto you and should complete beforehand your foreannounced blessing, thus this to be ready as a blessing, and not as covetousness.

6Now this: The one sowing sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one sowing upon blessings will also reap upon blessings, 7each as he purposes in the heart, not out of regret or of necessity. For God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in every way, always, having all sufficiency, you may abound in every good work. 9As it has been written:

“He has scattered abroad,

He has given to the poor;

His righteousness abides to the age.”a

10Now the One supplying seed to the one sowing and bread for food will supply and will multiply your seed for sowing and will increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11enriching you in every way to all generosity, which produces through us thanksgiving to God. 12For the ministry of this service is not only completely filling up the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God, 13through the proof of this service, glorifying God at your submission of confession to the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of the participation toward them and toward all. 14And their supplication is for you, longing for you on account of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!