Definition: Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as [a matter of] bounty, and not as [of] covetousness.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Corinthians 9:5. It's a really important message about generosity and how to approach giving. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that as we give generously, we shouldn’t be motivated by wanting more than we already have. Instead, we should prepare it with a spirit of gratitude and readiness. It's about a thoughtful and selfless act. Let's unpack it piece by piece: "Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren..." – This means "I urged/advised/suggested" the church members (the “brethren”) to do something specific. It’s like giving them a gentle reminder. "...that they would go before unto you..." – This is the key action. It means, "Go and meet me/us." They need to travel to where we are or what we are working on. "...and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as [a matter of] bounty..." – This is the core of the message: “Your bounty…” - This refers to the money or resources we’re giving. It could be anything – funds for a ministry, help for someone in need, etc. "...which ye had notice before..." – This means we knew we were going to give this amount. We weren't surprised by it. "...that the same might be ready, as [a matter of] bounty..." - This is a really important word: “ready.” It means prepared and available. We shouldn’t be thinking about getting more – we should be thinking about being ready to use it. "...and not as [of] covetousness." – This is the crucial part – the warning against greed. “Covetousness” means a desire for something that belongs to someone else or that isn't rightfully ours. It’s a feeling of wanting more than we need, and it can cloud our judgment and lead us to be unfair or even selfish with our generosity. In simple terms: The verse is urging us to give generously, but not with greed – with a sincere desire for the benefit of others and a focus on being ready to use what we’ve given. It's about selfless service. Why is this important? This passage emphasizes that true generosity isn't just about giving money; it’s about giving from a place of love, gratitude, and a desire for the well-being of others. It reminds us to be mindful of our motives when we give, and to focus on serving God and helping those in need. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Give an example of how this principle applies to a specific situation (like donating to charity)?