1Indeed, it is unnecessary for me to write to y’all concerning the deacon-work to the saints, 2for I know y’all’s eagerness, and I boast about y’all to the Macedonians, saying that Achaia has been prepared since last past year. Y’all’s zeal has stirred up most of them. 3But I am sending the siblings so that our boasting about y’all may not prove to be empty in this case, but that y’all would be ready just as I said. 4Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find y’all unprepared, we, not to mention y’all, would be put to shame by this overconfidence. 5So I deemed it necessary to urge the siblings to go on ahead to y’all and arrange ahead of time the generous gift y’all had promised. Then it would be ready as a matter of generosity, rather than coercion.

Living Generously

6This is the point: the person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each person should give according to what they have determined in their heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make every gracious gift overflow to y’all, so by having everything in every situation, y’all may overflow with every good work. 9As it is written,

10Now ʜᴇ who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and increase y’all’s seed and cause the harvest of y’all’s righteousness to grow, 11Y’all will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. 12For this deacon-work of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. 13Through the evidence of this deacon-work they will glorify God for y’all’s obedient confession in the gospel of Christ and for the generosity of y’all’s contribution to them and to everyone, 14and in their prayers for y’all’s, they have affection for y’all because of the surpassing grace of God in y’all. 15Now thanks be to God for ʜɪꜱ indescribable gift!