God gives so that we may give

Remember this saying,

“A few seeds make a small harvest,  but a lot of seeds make a big harvest.”

Each of you must make up your own mind about how much to give. But don’t feel sorry that you must give and don’t feel you are forced to give. God loves people who love to give.  God can bless you with everything you need, and you will always have more than enough to do all kinds of good things for others.  The Scriptures say,

“God freely gives his gifts to the poor, and always does right.”

God gives seed to farmers and provides everyone with food. He will increase what you have, so you can give even more to those in need.  You will be blessed in every way, and you will be able to keep on being generous. Then many people will thank God when we deliver your gift.

What you are doing is much more than a service that supplies God’s people with what they need. It is something that will make many others thank God.  The way in which you have proved yourselves by this service will bring honor and praise to God. You believed the message about Christ, and you obeyed it by sharing generously with God’s people and with everyone else.  Now they are praying for you and want to see you, because God used you to bless them so very much.  Thank God for his gift that is too wonderful for words!

Contemporary English Version (CEV) - for other versions see BibleGateway.com