1It’s not really necessary for me to write to you about helping the believers.
2Because I know you are ready to help. I’ve even boasted about your readiness to the people in Macedonia, telling them that Achaia has been prepared for a year. Your enthusiasm has motivated many of them.
3But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you in this matter won’t turn out to be empty, and so you will be prepared, just as I said you would be.
4Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to mention you—would be embarrassed by our confident boasting.
5So I thought it was necessary to ask the brothers to go ahead of me to you and arrange in advance the generous gift you promised. That way, it will be ready as a truly generous gift, not something given grudgingly.
6Remember this: whoever plants only a few seeds will harvest only a few seeds. Whoever plants many seeds will harvest many seeds.
7Everyone should give what they have decided in their heart to give, not reluctantly or under pressure, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8And God is able to give you every blessing in abundance, so that you will always have all you need and more than enough for every good work.
9As it is written: “He has widely scattered his gifts; he has given to the poor. His righteousness lasts forever.”
10Now may God, who provides seed for the farmer and bread for food, also provide and multiply your seed for planting and increase the harvest of your righteousness;
11you will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
12For this service of giving that you perform not only meets the needs of God’s people but also overflows in many expressions of thanks to God.
13Because of the proof provided by this service, people will praise God for your obedience to the Good News of Christ, which you have confessed, and for your generous sharing with them and with everyone else.
14And they will pray for you, longing to see you, because of the extraordinary grace God has shown you.
15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!