For ifthe readinessis present,it is acceptableaccordingto what [a person] has,not accordingto what he does not have.
"But the LORDsaidto my fatherDavid,'Becauseit was in your heartto builda housefor My name,you didwellthat it was in your heart.
"Tellthe sonsof Israelto raisea contributionfor Me; from everymanwhoseheartmoveshim you shall raiseMy contribution.
Everyonewho could makea contributionof silverand bronzebroughtthe LORD'Scontribution;and everyman whohadin his possessionacaciawoodfor anyworkof the servicebroughtit.
The Israelites,allthe menand women,whoseheartmovedthem to bring[material] for allthe work,whichthe LORDhad commandedthroughMosesto be done,broughta freewillofferingto the LORD.
Takefrom among you a contributionto the LORD;whoeveris of a willingheart,let him bringit as the LORD'Scontribution:gold,silver,and bronze,
Whatis desirablein a manis his kindness,And [it is] betterto be a poorman thana liar.
"In the same mannerthe one who [had received] the two[talents] gainedtwomore.
"Alsothe onewho[had received] the twotalentscameup and said,'Master,you entrustedtwotalentsto me. See,I have gainedtwomoretalents.'
"He who is faithfulin a verylittle thingis faithfulalsoin much;and he who is unrighteousin a very little thingis unrighteousalsoin much.
But nowfinishdoingit also,sothat justas [there was] the readinessto desireit, so[there] [may be] alsothe completionof it by your ability.
For [this] is not for the easeof others[and] for your affliction,but by wayof equality--
and not only[this], but he has alsobeen appointedby the churchesto travelwith us in thisgracious work,which is being administeredby us for the gloryof the LordHimself,and [to show] our readiness,
Each one[must do] justas he has purposedin his heart,not grudginglyorundercompulsion,for Godlovesa cheerfulgiver.
As each onehas receiveda [special] gift,employ it in servingone anotheras goodstewardsof the manifoldgraceof God.
