(TNIV) 2 Corinthians 8:12-"For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have."

When you give, you should give based on what you DO HAVE, and not what you DO NOT HAVE.   Let's continue reading through to verse 15:

    13-Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.  14-At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need.  The goal is equality,...15-as it is written: "The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little."

In verse 15, Paul is refering to when God supplied the Israelites with bread from heaven as they wandered through the desert.  To truly understand the context in which it was written, we must take a look at Exodus 16:16-18. 

(KJV)  16-This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents.  17-And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.  18-And when they did mete(measured) it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.

In God providing for the Israelites, there was equality.  No one had more than what they needed and no one had less that what they needed.  God supplied exactly what the Israelites needed....equally.

I remember stories from the old days....when my mother and my aunts and uncles were growing up...those were great examples of generousity.  If Jonny had five friends over...and his mother told him that lunch was ready, then Jonny and all five of his friends would have something to eat.  Be it lunch or dinner, as a neighborhood, everyone provided for eachothers needs.  Everyone in my grandmother's neighborhood was struggling....but they gave from their heart based on what they WERE able to give....not what they did not have to give.  As a result of this, everyone was equally burdened rather than having a brother/sister that was overwhelmed.


2 Corinthians 9:6-15
            
       6-Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generoulsy will also reap generously.  7-Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  8-And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.  9-As it is written: "They have scattered abroad their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever."   10-Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.  11-You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occassion, and through us your generousity will result in thanksgiving to God.  12-This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.  13-Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, people will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generousity in sharing with them and with everyone else.  14-And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.  15-Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!


In this passage of Scripture, Paul is writing to the Corinthians, encouraging them to be generous.  When you give cheerfully and generously, God will bless you abundantly.