God Loves a Cheerful Giver
(1 Corinthians 16:1–4)

1For indeed, concerning the ministry to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you⁺. 2For I know your⁺ readiness, which I boast of to Macedonians on behalf of you⁺, that Achaia has been prepared from a year ago, and your⁺ zeal provoked the greater part.

3But I sent the brothers so that our boasting that is on behalf of you⁺ in this matter should not be made void, so that you⁺ may be prepared, as I have been saying— 4lest perhaps if Macedonians should come with me and should find you⁺ unprepared, we would be put to shame—not that we might say you⁺—in this confidence.† 5Therefore I deemed it necessary to exhort the brothers that they should go before to you⁺ and should complete beforehand your⁺ foreannounced blessing, thus for 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 has purposed† in the heart, not out of grief or out 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 to every good work. 9As it has been written:

“He scattered abroad; He gave to the poor;

His righteousness remains to the age.Ӡ

10Now the One supplying seed to the one sowing and bread for food will supply and will multiply your⁺ seed and will increase the fruits of your⁺ righteousness, 11being enriched in every way to all generosity, which produces through us thanksgiving to God. 12For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13through the proof of this ministry, glorifying God upon your⁺ submission of confession to the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of the fellowship to them and to 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!

Footnotes:

4 BYZ and TR include in our boasting.
7 BYZ and TR as he purposes
7 See Proverbs 22:8, LXX addition.
9 Psalm 112:9