A verse-by-verse explanation of this section.
An overview of the principles and applications from this section.
Tying the section to life with God.
Historical, geographical, and grammatical enrichment of the commentary.
Suggested step-by-step group study of the section.
Zeroing the section in on daily life.
“All that we have is Thine alone, a trust,
O Lord, from Thee.”
William W. How
Paul had already called on the Corinthians to contribute to the relief of poor believers in Jerusalem. In this passage he explained why and how this contribution was to be made.
Some words of advice are so obviously true that you can hear them all around the world. One of these international directions is: “Never lend money to a friend.” Of course, only a few people go so far as to apply this principle in literalistic fashion. But we understand the truth that lies behind it. The exchange of money is a sensitive issue. It can turn friends into enemies.
Even in the Christian community money is a touchy subject. Most pastors hate to talk about the responsibility of members to support the church. They worry over how their church members will react, and their worries are almost always right: people react negatively. Thus, church leaders must broach this subject with great care.
In this passage Paul continued to write about the Corinthians' responsibility to contribute financially to the kingdom of God. He was careful, however, to guard against misunderstandings. From his discussion of this difficult topic, we can learn much about our own responsibilities and about encouraging others in this aspect of Christian living.
Practical Guidance for Giving
MAIN IDEA: Paul wanted the contribution for the Christians in Jerusalem to be generous and for its collection to go smoothly. In order to ensure this, he encouraged the Corinthians to cooperate with his emissaries and to give liberally.
Strong Advice (8:10–15)
SUPPORTING IDEA: Although Paul did not command the Corinthians to contribute to Jerusalem, he strongly advised it. He wanted to see God's blessing come upon the Corinthians, and he knew that a generous contribution to Jerusalem would bring such blessings.
8:10. Paul used great wisdom as he dealt with this subject. He began with a strong commendation. The Corinthian Christians were the first, or among the first, to begin preparations to give and expressed the desire to do so. At first the Corinthians were very eager to contribute to the Jerusalem church. This reaction demonstrated their commitment and desire to aid the believers who were suffering in Jerusalem.
8:11. The sequence of events behind this passage needs to be understood. After first informing the Corinthians of the need for contributions, Paul told them he would travel from Ephesus to Macedonia and then return to Corinth. After a delay, Paul visited Corinth briefly and sent a harsh letter to them through Titus. Later Titus met Paul in Macedonia with reports on the conditions at Corinth. At first the Corinthians were eager to contribute to the needs of Jerusalem believers, but troubles in the church had extinguished their eagerness. At this point Paul encouraged them to complete their commitment. Their willingness to do it needed to be matched by their completion of it.
As important as it was for the Corinthians to be willing to give at first, it was not enough. Recognizing the need to contribute and responding with commitments is easy. The true test is actually handing over the money. So Paul encouraged the Corinthians to fulfill their commitments.
Even so, Paul had no particular amount in mind. He left it up to the Corinthians to give according to their means. Many interpreters assume that these words reject the Old Testament practice of tithing (Deut. 12:6; Mal. 3:8–10), but this passage is not about money given to support the church. Rather, it is about charity for the poor above and beyond support for the church.
8:12. Paul justified proportional giving by appealing to a general principle: a gift is acceptable so long as it is according to what one has. Of course, Paul also accepted sacrificial giving; he praised the Macedonians for giving beyond their means. Yet, he felt free only to persuade the Corinthians to give as their means allowed. He fixed no particular amount, leaving this to their consciences.
8:13. Paul's goal justified the principle of giving according to means. He did not desire that the Corinthians be hard pressed while the church in Jerusalem was relieved. His goal was that there might be equality.
Care must be taken not to read too much into these words. The New Testament never indicates that all economic inequalities within the church should be eliminated. Instead, the goal of giving in the New Testament church was to insure that the basic needs of the poor were met. Even the early practice of holding everything in common (Acts 2:44–45) was designed to insure that basic needs were met in troubled times. Wealthy Christians are warned against the dangers of riches and told to be generous, but not to seek economic equality. Just as Moses instructed Israel to care for the poor (Lev. 19:9–10; Deut. 24:12–15), so the church is to care for its poor through generous contributions.
8:14–15. At least two reasons undergirded Paul's advice. First, he knew that economic situations change. At the present time the Corinthians were in a position to help others, but the day might come when the situation was reversed, and they would have to rely on the generosity of the church in Jerusalem.
Second, Paul appealed to a theological principle based on God's action in Israel's deliverance from Egyptian slavery. The apostle referred the Corinthians to the Septuagint translation of Exodus 16:18 which indicated that no one in Israel had too much or too little. During Israel's wilderness wanderings, God miraculously supplied each Israelite family according to their needs. Even though some gathered much, it did not result in an overabundance. Although others gathered little, it did not result in serious deprivation. This miraculous provision indicated God's desire to meet the needs of all his people.
It would have been easy for the Corinthians to think otherwise. They could have reasoned that if God had not wanted the church in Jerusalem to suffer, then he would have not permitted it. But Paul resisted this fatalistic outlook. God desired that the needs of all his people be met. Even so, God was not accomplishing his desire through miraculous distribution as in the Exodus. Rather, he called on the church to care for his people.
Safeguards Against Mishandling of Funds (8:16–24)
SUPPORTING IDEA: Paul explained how he intended to collect contributions from the church. His description assured the Corinthians that he was not seeking his own gain and that he would be careful with the funds.
8:16–17. Paul mentioned that Titus was returning. It appears that the Corinthian church had a positive relationship with Titus. They received him well and honored him as a servant of Paul. So the apostle expressed thanks to God for putting affection for the Corinthians into the heart of Titus. Titus shared Paul's love for the church and wanted nothing but the well-being of the believers there. Paul explained by saying that Titus did more than respond to the apostle's appeal. He was coming … with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. He had so much affection for the church in Corinth that he voluntarily made the arduous journey to see them again.
8:18. Paul also mentioned that the party collecting contributions would include the brother who is praised by all the churches. It is uncertain who this brother was. A number of suggestions have been made: Apollos, Aristarchus, Barnabas, Silas, and Timothy. Some of these candidates are more likely than others, but certain identification is not possible. Paul apparently believed that his identity would be clear enough from his reputation for his service to the gospel. He reminded the Corinthians of this reputation to instill confidence in this brother as a trustworthy courier.
8:19. If his reputation was not enough, Paul also noted that this unnamed person was chosen by the churches to accompany Paul and his company as they collected the contributions. It is not clear which churches were in view here. The apostle probably had in mind wide support for the person as indicated by “all the churches” in 8:18. The term chosen (charotoneo) probably connotes choice by an official vote or show of hands.
When Paul touched on the fact that this brother was to accompany us (Paul and his company) with the offering, he also turned to his own reliability. At first he simply mentioned that they would administer the offering in order to honor the Lord himself, not for self-aggrandizement or for their own support. They sought to honor the Lord whose own actions demonstrated his desire to see the poor relieved (see 8:15).
Moreover, Paul and his company went through all this trouble to show their eagerness to help. Eagerness or enthusiasm in the service of God is a consistent theme in this context. Paul spoke of himself as helping or assisting because he did not handle the money himself but aided those who had been appointed. He showed great wisdom and caution in this sensitive area.
8:20. Paul continued to explain his role as a helper or assistant by noting that he wanted to avoid any criticism of the way they administer[ed] this liberal gift. By surrounding himself with trustworthy brothers, Paul avoided the possibility that he might be accused of stealing or misappropriating funds. He expressed his enthusiasm for this role by calling the contributions liberal. He saw this task as important, and he demonstrated this awareness by handling the funds with care.
8:21. Paul explained what he meant by avoiding criticism. He was taking pains or going through much trouble to do what was right. Unlike other contexts in which he disdained the opinions of people who stood against the ways of God (e.g., 1 Cor. 4:3), Paul affirmed here an appropriate concern for the opinions of people. Much like Jesus, who “grew … in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52), Paul wanted to be clear of wrongdoing not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men. In this expression Paul alluded to Proverbs 3:4. In matters of money Paul understood the wisdom of such safeguards.
8:22–23. To assure the Corinthian church, Paul mentioned several of those who were collecting funds. First was another unnamed brother. It would appear that the Corinthians did not know this man. He had been in Paul's company for some time because he had often proved to Paul and his company in many ways that he was zealous. He had great confidence in the Corinthians, probably because of Paul's boasting.
Second, Paul mentioned Titus again. This time he praised Titus by calling him his partner and fellow worker
Third, the apostle spoke of our brothers. It is not clear if he had in mind the brothers mentioned before. Some unnamed Macedonians were possibly to accompany Paul to Corinth, but this group was to precede any Macedonian's arrival. Paul may have had these men in mind here. They were representatives (literally “apostles” or “ones sent”) of the churches. Moreover, their Christian lives brought honor, not shame, to the name of Christ.
8:24. On the basis of the safeguards Paul had in place for the collection, he called the Corinthians to respond appropriately. Instead of calling them to contribute, he spoke indirectly of the contributions as proof of their love and the reason for his pride in them. By this approach, he reminded the Corinthians of the effects of their giving. They would offer proof in this test and would justify Paul's boasting in them. Moreover, the churches in Macedonia and Jerusalem would see these qualities of the Corinthian church and would be encouraged.
Paul was practical and pastoral about this matter. Though guided by biblical principles, he was concerned with putting to rest any misgivings the Corinthians may have had. His special efforts provide guidance for all who handle money in ministry.
Service to the Churches (9:1–5)
SUPPORTING IDEA: Paul advised the Corinthians to contribute to the offering with words of confidence and positive motivation.
9:1. The apostle began by admitting that there was no need … to write … about this service to the saints. The NIV omits the conjunction at the beginning of this verse. In effect, Paul supported his urging in 8:24 with his belief that the Corinthians already agreed with him. This service was none other than the service of contributions to the Jerusalem believers. Paul did not call the Jerusalem Christians saints or “holy ones” because they were special or outstanding believers. Rather, he frequently used this expression to describe “believers.” Nevertheless, the name “holy ones” indicated the Christians in Jerusalem were worthy of special honor and attention from the Corinthians. They were not ordinary, but sanctified by Christ (Gal. 6:10).
9:2. Paul reaffirmed his confidence in the Corinthians' eagerness to help. In fact, he had been boasting about them not only to Titus but also to the Macedonians. He had even told the Macedonians that last year they were ready to give. Paul's boasting about the Corinthians had even stirred most of the Macedonians to action. Just as Paul had previously used the example of the Macedonians to inspire the Corinthians to give; he had also motivated the Macedonians through reports about the initial enthusiasm of the Corinthians.
9:3. Paul sent Titus and others ahead to collect funds to insure that his boasting … should not prove hollow. Although at the moment Paul was confident that the Corinthians would prove faithful in this matter, he also knew that their attitudes could change. Paul was afraid they would not be ready as he had said they would be when he arrived. He sent messengers to make sure the collection was completed before he arrived.
9:4. Paul explained himself further by noting that Macedonians might arrive in Corinth with him. While he wrote this letter, Paul was unsure that they would actually go with him. As it turned out, Sopater from Berea and Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica did go with him (Acts 20:4). If the Corinthians were unprepared to make their contributions, then Paul would be ashamed of having been so confident in them, and the Corinthians would also have cause for shame.
9:5. For this reason Paul sent the brothers to visit … in advance of his arrival. They would finalize the collection of the generous gift … promised by the Corinthians. The initial enthusiasm at Corinth must have included the promise of a large sum, and Paul wanted to insure that this promise was kept. If the brothers gathered the contribution before Paul and any Macedonians arrived, then the contribution would be received as a genuinely generous gift. If not, it might appear to be begrudgingly given in response to pressure from Paul.
Paul showed practical concern for the encouragement of the churches in Corinth and Macedonia. Although he was confident of the Corinthians' good intentions, he was not naíve. He took the precaution of sending messengers ahead to insure that no one would miss the opportunity for a great blessing.
Believers Benefit from Generosity (9:6–11)
SUPPORTING IDEA: Paul motivated his readers further by pointing to the benefits that come to those who give generously.
9:6. The NIV translates the opening phrase touto de as remember this, but a variety of translations are possible. Literally, Paul said, “and this,” which may be elliptical for something like “now consider this” or “now this is important.”
The apostle began with what was probably a common agricultural proverb which taught that sowing sparingly results in a poor harvest and that generous sowing results in a plentiful harvest. It is also possible that Paul alluded to Proverbs 11:24–25; 22:9. Paul used a similar analogy in Galatians 6:7,9. This analogy encouraged generous giving. Just as farmers should not expect a large harvest unless they sow generously, so Christians should not expect many blessings from God unless they bless others in a generous way.
9:7. In light of this wise saying, Paul encouraged the Corinthians to give. As before, he did not want them to give beyond their means, and the exact amount was a matter of conscience. The reliance on inward conviction in this matter is particularly important because Paul had no directive from God. As in every ethical choice that believers must make, there comes a point when the inward conviction of the Spirit must guide specific actions. Decisions of the heart must not violate the revelation of God, but they are necessary for practical application of the principles derived from the Old and New Testaments.
Acting according to conscience was very important in this situation. Paul wanted the Corinthians to receive God's blessings in response to their generosity, but this would not occur if they gave reluctantly or under compulsion because God loves a cheerful giver. Once again, Paul relied on proverbial wisdom. This proverb probably circulated widely among Jewish rabbis and early Christian teachers because Paul used it freely as justification for his view. Paul believed that God's love extends to all who are in Christ, but he had in mind here a special affection or approval that leads to significant blessings in the life of the believer.
9:8. Knowing that God is favorably predisposed to those who give cheerfully is important because of God's ability to bless. Paul focused on God's ability, not his guarantee. God is able (dunateo), but he is free to choose whom, how, when, and to what degree he will bless. There is a sense in which every Christian has received the grace of God in Christ (Rom. 5:15), but here Paul thought of special mercy that comes to some and not to others. When God so chooses to bless, the result will be that in all things at all times believers will receive all that they need, and will abound in every good work.
Note the manner in which Paul described these abundant blessings. First, believers may be given all that they need (autarkeia), not all they may want (thelo, zeloo). God often gives believers things they desire, but Paul did not have these blessings in view here. The Corinthians faced the challenge of giving generously, which could have threatened their livelihood. Paul made it clear, however, that God (not their selfish greed) was able to supply their needs.
Second, the goal of these divine supplies is not primarily the believer's wealth or personal pleasure. God supplies so believers may abound in every good work—so they will be free from worry over necessities and may focus on fulfilling the commands of God.
9:9. To support his assertion that God is able to do all of these things, Paul quoted Psalm 112:9 from the Septuagint. This verse describes different characteristics of the righteous person, and verse 9 depicts him as generous to the poor. This theme fit well with Paul's emphasis on generous giving at Corinth because these contributions were destined for the poor of Jerusalem.
The second line of Psalm 112:9, “his righteousness endures forever,” troubles some interpreters because similar expressions often refer to God (Ps. 111:3; Isa. 51:8). It is possible that the psalm focused on the permanence of a righteous person's actions. In other words, God will never forget or ignore a righteous man's generosity (righteousness). This interpretation fits well with Paul's purpose in this passage: encouraging the Corinthians to be generous so God would reward them. Paul's comments in the next verse support this understanding.
9:10. Paul followed his quotation from Psalm 112 with two allusions to the Old Testament. First, he referred to Isaiah 55:10, which praises God as the one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food. Second, he drew from Hosea 10:12, which promises a harvest of blessing for those who sow righteousness. Paul combined these Old Testament ideas to assure the Corinthians that God would not ignore their generosity, but would enlarge the harvest (rewards) of their righteousness. Their righteous deeds would not be overlooked or forgotten.
9:11. Paul went on to describe what the Corinthians could expect as they contributed to the poor in Jerusalem. He first said they would be made rich in every way. Paul was not promising material blessings to those who give generously. He knew that faithful believers are often poor, just as the Jerusalem saints were at that time.
The key to understanding this expression is the similar language in 1 Corinthians 1:5,7, where Paul rejoiced that the Corinthians had been “enriched in every way—in all [their] speaking and in all [their] knowledge,” and did “not lack any spiritual gift.” The riches of the Christian life before the return of Christ are primarily the blessings of the Holy Spirit. He is the down payment on the inheritance of riches we will receive when Christ returns. When the Spirit is poured out on believers in dramatic ways, they are made rich in every way.
In this light, Paul's idea becomes clear. If the Corinthians gave generously, they could expect a dramatic enrichment of their lives by the Spirit. They would be so blessed they would be able to be generous on every occasion—able to meet whatever needs they encountered with the rich ministry of the Spirit.
Finally, Paul also assured the Corinthian church that he and his company would be blessed by generous giving. He pledged that through us (Paul and his company) the Corinthian generosity would result in thanksgiving to God. The apostle would praise God joyfully as he saw them fulfill this responsibility.
In these verses Paul made it clear that giving generously to the poor in Jerusalem would bring many benefits. The needs of the poor would be met. The Corinthians would be blessed, and their lives would be enriched. Paul and his company would be encouraged and thankful to God. These positive benefits were to motivate the Corinthians to fulfill their earlier commitment to giving.
The Result: Praise of God (9:12–15)
SUPPORTING IDEA: Paul developed the theme of thanksgiving further by stating that generous contributions would result in widespread praise of God.
9:12–13. The apostle began by asserting that this service of contributing was not only for supplying the needs of God's people, but also for the overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God, so that men would praise God. The collection of money for Jerusalem was widespread in the church, reaching Achaia, Macedonia, and Asia Minor. As these churches heard reports of others' generosity, it surely caused much worship and praise. The goal of honoring God was supreme in Paul's perspective, and this should have been the Corinthians' goal as well.
While explaining the process by which God would be praised, Paul mentioned a number of important features of this contribution. First, by it the Corinthians would prove themselves. In 8:8 the apostle had announced that this event was a test of the Corinthians' sincerity. Here he made clear that fulfilling their promise to give would prove the true condition of their hearts. In this regard, Paul held a similar perspective to that of the apostle John, who said that love for God could not be present in a believer's life without love for other Christians (1 John 4:20).
Second, Paul described fulfilling the contribution as obedience that would accompany their confession of the gospel of Christ. Confession or profession of the gospel must be demonstrated by obedience. Paul stated this principle clearly on many occasions (Rom. 6:1; Eph. 2:8–10; 2 Thess. 1:8). In fact, he warned that flagrant disobedience would reveal the absence of saving faith (Col. 1:22–23).
By weaving these comments into his discussion, Paul reminded the Corinthians of how serious this matter was. It was a test of the obedience that must accompany saving faith in Christ.
9:14. As he ended his encouragement to the Corinthians on this matter, Paul assured them that in the prayers of other churches the hearts of those churches would go out to the Corinthians. Because of the surpassing grace that God had given them, many would pray. Other Christians would be so encouraged by God's work among the Corinthians that they would intercede on their behalf. Paul assured them of this because he understood the importance of intercessory prayer. He encouraged many churches by telling them that he prayed for them. He sought to motivate the Corinthians with thoughts of how wonderful it would be to have many Christians throughout the world praying for them.
9:15. This thought was so magnificent in Paul's outlook that it caused him to break forth in praise. He wrote, Thanks be to God. His heart broke out in adoration for God's indescribable gift which made all of this possible—the gift of salvation through Christ. He was overwhelmed by the thought of Gentiles in Corinth joining with other Gentile churches to provide for Jewish believers in Jerusalem. He overflowed with joy that all of these churches would join together in the praise of God and in prayer for one another. Paul was so ecstatic at the thought he could go no further.
MAIN IDEA REVIEW: Paul wanted the contribution for the Christians in Jerusalem to be generous and for its collection to go smoothly. In order to ensure this, he encouraged the Corinthians to cooperate with his emissaries and to give liberally.
Paul raised the practical issue of relief for the poor in Jerusalem. The body of Christ extended beyond the confines of the local church at Corinth, and the believers there were responsible to care for the needs of the hungry and suffering in Jerusalem. He exhorted them to use this opportunity to show their gratitude to God for his blessings and to show sincere love for their brothers and sisters in need.
PRINCIPLES
APPLICATIONS
I was working late into the evening when an international student came into my office. “You Americans are spoiled brats!” he said angrily. I could tell he was deeply troubled, so I invited him to sit down and talk.
This dear brother had just received a letter from his family. He had been away from his home for two years to attend seminary, but he was about to graduate and return to his wife and children. That day, however, he had received a letter from his wife and father telling him to remain in the United States because the communists in surrounding villages were executing everyone who had been educated in the West. He was distraught.
“I don't think you realize how bad it is in other parts of the world,” he added. “For you, it's a big problem if you can't buy a new car. It's a crisis if you can't build a big church building. But in my homeland, we are simply trying to survive. Why don't you do something to help us?”
That conversation put a real human face on something I had only known in theory. Christians throughout the world suffer because of their faith. Most of us live in comfort while they are in pain.
When Paul wrote this letter, the Corinthians were doing relatively well, living in peace and prosperity. While this prosperity was a blessing from God, it was also an opportunity for service. He encouraged them not to be spoiled brats who worried about their small needs while other Christians suffered so much.
This passage gives us many useful insights into handling money in the church today. Paul's example can help leaders use the proper cautions in this sensitive area and encourage believers to be generous in their giving.
Paul knew that even in the best circumstances practical safeguards needed to be in place to insure the orderly collection and distribution of money in the church. He set up practical safeguards against misappropriations. Christian leaders must take realistic steps to guard against the temptation to steal or mishandle money given to the church. Systems of oversight must be regulated carefully so that all may trust the process.
Paul also knew how to motivate the people to give. He did not impose a collection on the Corinthians; he urged them to complete what they had volunteered to do. Trying to force generosity will eventually lead to resistance. It is much better to encourage voluntary, heart-felt generosity. Paul also encouraged the Corinthians to consider the blessings they would receive by their generosity. As followers of Christ, we have the opportunity to receive many spiritual rewards when we give cheerfully.
The apostle also reminded the Corinthians of the ultimate reason for his request: their generosity would lead to an overflow of thanks to God from those who received. By giving to the ministry of the church, we fulfill our goal of bringing glory to God.
The financial ministry of the church is a touchy subject. It is riddled with pitfalls. By following Paul's example, we can avoid many of these difficulties as we fulfill this vital service to the body of Christ.
Lord Jesus, you have blessed us with so many wonderful gifts. Yet, we often overlook these privileges and seek more and more for ourselves. Please give us hearts that are sensitive to the needs of your people throughout the world. Call us to give of our abundance so that they may be blessed. Amen.
A. According to Your Means (8:11) and to What One Has (8:12)
Godly generosity does not depend upon the size of the gift, but on the love and self-sacrifice that motivate it. The widow who gave “all she had to live on” to the treasury provides an interesting example of this principle. Jesus stated that the widow's offering of less than a cent surpassed the large amounts offered by the wealthy because she gave from her poverty and they from their wealth (Mark 12:41–44). In fact, her offering exceeded the offerings advised by Paul in that it cut into her ability to live. In this sense, the giving of the Macedonians was more similar to the widow's gift. While Paul recognized such giving as admirable, he evidently did not feel comfortable advising it, advising the Corinthians to give out of “plenty” (8:14).
Paul's reluctance to advise the same kind of sacrificial giving that both he and Christ praised creates an interesting tension. Does the Bible teach that Christians should give more than they are able to give? Paul's example indicates that God does not obligate Christians to give beyond their means, but that he rewards them when they do. It is tempting to think that anything we do short of the absolute best thing that we can do is sin, but Paul indicates this is not the case. Otherwise, he would have been remiss for not calling the Corinthians to give beyond their means.
B. Reap Generously (9:6); Increase Your Store of Seed (9:10); You Will Be Made Rich (9:11)
Because of common abuses of this passage, it is important to consider what it does and does not say. The passage does teach that God rewards those who give generously to other Christians in need. It also teaches that generous giving should be motivated by the desire to minister to others and that the giving itself is a ministry.
It does not teach that God will always reward giving in this way or that God is obligated to reward giving in this way. As Paul indicated in 8:14–15, even after giving generously to the Christians in Jerusalem, the Corinthians could expect lean times themselves in the future—so lean that the church in Jerusalem might be called upon to make similar donations to them. Also, the harvest from God need not be financial. It need only continue the giver's ability to minister to others (“abound in every good work,” 9:8; “so that you can be generous on every occasion,” 9:11).
Paul did not teach that God would reward givers whose motivation for giving was that they might reap a financial reward from God. His point was that giving motivated by love and concern for others was a righteous ministry and that those who engaged in it would be equipped to “abound in every good work” (9:8). Those people whose giving is motivated by a desire for financial gain do not give in a godly fashion motivated by love and generosity. They cannot expect any harvest, let alone a financial reward.
A. INTRODUCTION
B. COMMENTARY
C. CONCLUSION: SPOILED BRATS
