¹⁷ He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

¹⁶ This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.^(A) And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.^(B)

Generosity Encouraged

⁶ Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.^{(A) 7} Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give,^(B) not reluctantly or under compulsion,^(C) for God loves a cheerful giver.^{(D) 8} And God is able^(E) to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,^(F) you will abound in every good work. ⁹ As it is written:

¹⁰ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food^(I) will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.^{(J) 11} You will be enriched^(K) in every way so that you can be generous^(L) on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.^(M)

¹² This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs^(N) of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.^{(O) 13} Because of the service^(P) by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God^(Q) for the obedience that accompanies your confession^(R) of the gospel of Christ,^(S) and for your generosity^(T) in sharing with them and with everyone else. ¹⁴ And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God^(U) for his indescribable gift!^(V)

¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.^(A) Practice hospitality.^(B)

³⁰ He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”^(A)

³⁷ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”^(A)

¹⁷ “‘Well done, my good servant!’^(A) his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’^(B)

²² When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor,^(A) and you will have treasure in heaven.^(B) Then come, follow me.”

⁹ I tell you, use worldly wealth^(A) to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.^(B)