God Loves a Cheerful Giver (1 Corinthians 16:1–4)
1 UDB Now about this collection of money for the believers in Jerusalem—all those people whom God has set apart for himself—I really do not need to write anything more to you. BSB BSB: Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you.
2 UDB I already know that you want to help, and I praised you for this to the believers of Macedonia. In fact, I told them that you, and the other people of the province of Achaia, have been preparing for this collection since last year. Your enthusiasm is an example that has moved the believers of Macedonia to take action. 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 UDB For I am sending the brothers ahead of me so that, when they meet you, they will see that we did not praise you for nothing. I am also sending them ahead of me so that you would be ready to finish the work, as I promised others you would be. 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 UDB I am afraid that some Macedonians might come with me when I come a little later and that they might find that you are not ready to give all that you want to give. If that happens, we will be ashamed that we spoke so well about you—and you would be ashamed, too. 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 UDB I decided it was necessary to make every effort to send the brothers to you, so they could set in order everything necessary to receive the money you have promised to give. In this way, this money will be something you freely offer rather than a tax that we make you pay. 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 UDB The point is, anyone who sows very little seed will also have a small crop to harvest, but anyone who sows a great amount of seed will gather a great harvest. BSB BSB: Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
7 UDB First decide in your heart how much money to give, so when you give it you will not regret doing it. You should not feel that anyone is forcing you to give, because God loves a person who is happy to give. 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 UDB God can give you all kinds of gifts more and more, so that you will always have what you yourselves need, and also enough to do good things with. 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 UDB As it is written in the scriptures: "He gives good things to people everywhere, and he gives to the poor what they need. He does these things forever." BSB BSB: As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”
10 UDB God gives seed to the one who sows, and he gives bread to one who bakes it. He will also supply you with seed and increase what you are able to give away to others. 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 UDB God will make you rich in many ways, so that you can be generous. As a result, many others will thank God for what they receive through the work that we apostles have done. 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 UDB We receive this money, not only to help our Christian brothers and sisters in need, but also so that many believers will give thanks to God. 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 UDB Because you began this task, you have shown what kind of people you are. You honor God by obeying him and believing what he says in the good news about Christ. You also honor him by giving generously. 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 UDB The ones to whom you will give will greatly desire to see you; they will pray for you because of the wonderful way in which God has been kind to you. BSB BSB: And their prayers for you will express their affection for you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.
15 UDB We give thanks to God for this gift from him. His gift is so great we cannot express it in words. BSB BSB: Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.