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Passing the Hat

¹ I don't need to keep going on and on about lending a hand to the cowboys in Jerusalem. ² I know y'all are on board. I've been bragging about y'all to all the outfits in Macedonia. I told everyone the outfit in Greece was ready to send an offering over a year ago. This has stoked the fire and now others want to give because of y'all. ³ I'm sending these cowboys to be sure y'all have passed the hat and are ready to send your offering. I hope I wasn't wrong about y'all. ⁴ It would be an embarrassment to all of us if I showed up with some cowboys from Macedonia and y'all weren't ready after all. ⁵ That's why I'm sending y'all the help before I get there to ensure that doesn't happen. The only thing I'm concerned about is y'all will give your gift grudgingly instead of willingly. Everyone talks big about giving while the money is still in their pocket.

⁶ Don't forget, a farmer who only plants a few seeds only reaps a small harvest. But the farmer who plants a bunch harvests a bunch. ⁷ Each of you should give what you know you should. Don't give anything if you don't want to. God will bless giving made generously. ⁸ And God won't forget what you give. He will bless you so that your giving will result in you having plenty left over to do other good works. ⁹ The Good Books says, "The cowboys gave what they had to those who didn't have anything. Their deeds will be remembered forever."

¹⁰ Did the farmer make the seeds himself? No, they came from God in the first place. We just use them to make bread for food. He is going to give you more and more so you can give more and more away. He is planting a harvest of generosity in you! ¹¹ God will make you rich in more ways than just money so you will always be able to give. When we show up with your gift, people will thank God because of you.

¹² What you are doing for those folks will really help them with their needs, but that ain't all. It makes people give thanks to God. ¹³ Y'all don't have any idea of the impact this will have on people . . . and God will get the glory! This will prove to everyone that y'all ride for the brand in deed, not just in hats. ¹⁴ Prayers will be sent up with tears flowing because of the grace that God has given you. ¹⁵ All the thanks for all our lives goes to God and his wonderful gift. The gift that words cannot describe.