1There is no need for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints, 2for I know your eagerness, and I boast about you to the Macedonians: Achaia has been ready since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3Still, I am sending the brothers so that our boast about you may not prove empty in this matter, and so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we — not to say you — would be put to shame in this confident undertaking. 5So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance the gift you promised, so that it may be ready as a blessing freely given and not as something squeezed out of you.
God loves a cheerful giver
6Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows with blessing will also reap with blessing. 7Each of you should give as you have decided in your heart, not reluctantly or under pressure, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having all you need, you may overflow in every good work. 9As it is written: “He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 10The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be made rich in every way for every kind of generosity, and through us it produces thanksgiving to God. 12For the service of this offering not only fills up what the saints lack; it also overflows in many thanksgivings to God. 13Through the proof this service gives, they will glorify God for your obedience to the gospel of the Christ that you confess, and for the generosity of your sharing with them and with everyone. 14And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
