God Loves a Cheerful Giver (1 Corinthians 16:1–4)
1 CPDV Now, concerning the ministry that is done toward the saints, it is not necessary for me to write to you. BSB BSB: Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you.
2 CPDV For I know your willing mind. I glory about you, concerning this, to the Macedonians. For Achaia has also been prepared, for the past year. And your example has inspired very many others. BSB BSB: 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.
3 CPDV Now I have sent the brothers, so that what we glory about concerning you might not be empty in this matter, in order that (as I have explained) you may be prepared. BSB BSB: 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.
4 CPDV Otherwise, if the Macedonians arrive with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you) would be ashamed in this matter. BSB BSB: Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—to say nothing of you—would be ashamed of having been so confident.
5 CPDV Therefore, I considered it necessary to ask the brothers to go to you in advance and to prepare this blessing as promised, and in this way, you may be ready as a blessing, not as an excess. BSB BSB: So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not begrudgingly.
6 CPDV But I say this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. And whoever sows with blessings shall also reap from blessings: BSB BSB: Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
7 CPDV each one giving, just as he has determined in his heart, neither out of sadness, nor out of obligation. For God loves a cheerful giver. BSB BSB: 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.
8 CPDV And God is able to make every grace abound in you, so that, always having what you need in all things, you may abound unto every good work, BSB BSB: 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.
9 CPDV just as it was written: “He has distributed widely, he has given to the poor; his justice remains from age to age.” BSB BSB: As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”
10 CPDV And he who ministers seed to the sower will offer you bread to eat, and will multiply your seed, and will increase the growth of the fruits of your justice. BSB BSB: 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.
11 CPDV So then, having been enriched in all things, you may abound in all simplicity, which works thanksgiving to God through us. BSB BSB: You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will produce thanksgiving to God.
12 CPDV For the ministration of this office not only supplies whatever the saints need, but also abounds through many thanksgivings in the Lord. BSB BSB: For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.
13 CPDV And so, through the evidence of this ministry, you glorify God by the obedience of your confession in the Gospel of Christ, and by the simplicity of your communion with them and with everyone, BSB BSB: 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.
14 CPDV and they offer prayers for you, being solicitous about you, because of the excellent grace of God within you. BSB BSB: And their prayers for you will express their affection for you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.
15 CPDV Thanks be to God for his ineffable gift. BSB BSB: Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.