MOTIVATIONS FOR GIVING

9 Now concerning the ministry to the saints, it is unnecessary for me to write to you. 2 For I know your eagerness, and I boast about you to the Macedonians,v “Achaiaw has been ready since last year,” and your zealx has stirred up most of them.y 3 But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you in this matter would not prove empty, and so that you would be ready just as I said. 4 Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we, not to mention you, would be put to shame in that situation.E 5 Therefore I considered it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance the generous giftz you promised, so that it will be ready as a gift and not as an extortion.aa

6 The point is this:A The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God lovesa a cheerful giver.