¹⁰ God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.^(A)

³⁵ In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

⁹ Offer hospitality^(A) to one another without grumbling.^(B)

¹⁸ Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds,^(A) and to be generous and willing to share.^{(B) 19} In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves^(C) as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of^(D) the life that is truly life.

¹⁶ And do not forget to do good and to share with others,^(A) for with such sacrifices^(B) God is pleased.

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)

The Collection for the Lord’s People

8 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian^(A) churches. ² In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.^(B)