There is no needr for me to write to you about this services to the Lord’s people.t 2 For I know your eagerness to help,u and I have been boastingv about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last yearw you in Achaiax were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. 3 But I am sending the brothersy in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be.z 4 For if any Macedoniansa come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothersb to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift,c not as one grudgingly given.d

Generosity Encouraged

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.e 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give,f not reluctantly or under compulsion,g for God loves a cheerful giver.h 8 And God is ablei to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,j you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their giftsk to the poor;

their righteousness endures forever.”a l

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for foodm will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.n 11 You will be enrichedo in every way so that you can be generousp on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.q

12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needsr of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.s 13 Because of the servicet by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise Godu for the obedience that accompanies your confessionv of the gospel of Christ,w and for your generosityx 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 Gody for his indescribable gift!z