<p>8:12 <i>For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has- </i>See on :11. The &quot;readiness&quot; would refer to their agreement a year ago to support the Fund. They are to give from what they have in hand right away, and not to worry if the actual sum was small. The language of 'acceptability' is appropriate to sacrifices on the altar being accepted by God (1 Pet. 2:5). Yet Rom. 15:31 uses the same word in casting doubt upon whether the collection would be 'accepted' by the Jerusalem Jews. Even if men don't accept our sacrifices, then God does. </p><p><i>Not according to what he does not have</i>- He is saying that lack of great resources need not stop their actual giving, because the desire to give (&quot;the readiness&quot;) is critical And that principle is true for all time. A mean spirit is often excused by the knowledge that one doesn't have much to give. But the desire to be generous is critical, and means that the amount given is not of itself important. Paul had boasted for the past year that the Corinthians were &quot;ready&quot; (9:2); but that meant nothing if the cash had not been actually donated. The Greek of 8:19 could mean that if they actually gave, then they would glorify their own readiness of mind, which Paul sees as so critical in any giving.</p><p>The Lord taught men to give alms of such things as they had (Lk. 11:41); as we have opportunity / ability, we must be generous to all men (Gal. 6:10). These passages are teaching a <i>spirit</i> of generosity; and even a believer with literally <i>no</i> money can have a generous spirit. &quot;If there be first (i.e. most importantly) <i>a willing mind</i>, it is accepted according to what a man hath, and not according to that he hath not&rdquo;. <i>Every man</i> was to contribute to the building of the tabernacle (cp. the ecclesia) <i>with a willing heart</i> (Ex. 25:2- Paul surely alludes here). They weren't told: 'Whoever is willing and able to contribute, please do so'. And yet the majority of us have at least <i>something</i> materially; and as we have been blessed, so let us give. &quot;<i>Every man</i> according as he <i>purposeth in his heart</i> (generosity is a mental attitude), so let him give; <i>not grudgingly</i>, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver&quot;. See on Acts 11:29.</p><p>Our intentions to do good can be counted as if they were performed. Thus if we have a generous spirit, and would love to be generous to the needy, but just can&rsquo;t do it &ndash; it&rsquo;s counted as if we&rsquo;ve done it.&nbsp;</p>