1 I do not need to write to you about helping those who belong to Christ.

For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

2 I know you want to do it. I have told the people in the country of Macedonia that you were ready to send money last year. Your desire has started most of them to give.

For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.

3 I am sending these Christian brothers so the words I said about you will prove to be true and you will be ready to help.

Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:

4 W hat if some of the people of Macedonia came with me and found you were not ready to send your gift of money? We would all be ashamed since we have talked of you so much.

Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.

5 T hat is why I asked these men to go ahead of me. They can see that the gift you promised is ready. In that way, it will be a true gift and not something you were made to do.

Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

6 R emember, the man who plants only a few seeds will not have much grain to gather. The man who plants many seeds will have much grain to gather.

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

7 E ach man should give as he has decided in his heart. He should not give, wishing he could keep it. Or he should not give if he feels he has to give. God loves a man who gives because he wants to give.

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

8 G od can give you all you need. He will give you more than enough. You will have everything you need for yourselves. And you will have enough left over to give when there is a need.

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

9 T he Holy Writings say, “He has given much to the poor. His right-standing with God lasts forever.”

(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

10 I t is God Who gives seed to the man to plant. He also gives the bread to eat. Then we know He will give you more seed to plant and make it grow so you will have more to give away.

Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

11 G od will give you enough so you can always give to others. Then many will give thanks to God for sending gifts through us.

Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

12 T his gift you give not only helps Christians who are in need, but it also helps them give thanks to God.

For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

13 Y ou are proving by this act of love what you are. They will give thanks to God for your gift to them and to others. This proves you obey the Good News of Christ.

Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;

14 T hey will pray for you with great love because God has given you His loving-favor.

And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

15 T hank God for His great Gift.

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.