Be Prepared with Your Gift
1 For concerning the ministering to the holy ones, it is unnecessary for me to write to you:
2 For I know the eagerness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has provoked very many.
3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, you may be ready:
4 Lest perhaps if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, you) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your gift, of which you had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of gift, and not as an extortion.
Be a Cheerful Giver
6 But this I say, He who sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
9 (As it is written, He has dispersed abroad; he has given to the poor: his righteousness remains forever.
10 Now he that ministers seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
11 Being enriched in everything to all bountifulness, who causes through us thanksgiving to God.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the need of the holy ones, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
13 While by the proof of this ministry they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
14 And by their prayer for you, who long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.