2 For I know your eagerness, and I brag about you to the Macedonians: “Achaia has been prepared since last year,” and your zeal has stirred up most of them.
3 But I sent the brothers so our boasting about you in the matter would not prove empty, and so you would be prepared just as I said.
4 For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we, not to mention you, would be embarrassed in that situation.
5 Therefore I considered it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance the generous gift you promised, so that it will be ready as a gift and not as an extortion.
6 Remember this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously.
7 Each person should do as he has decided in his heart — not reluctantly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.