2 Corinthians 9 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

Now, I don't really need to write to you about this act of service for God's people.

I already know how eager you are — I've been bragging about you to the Macedonians, telling them, "The people in Achaia have been ready since last year." And your enthusiasm has fired up most of them.

But I'm sending the brothers ahead so that our bragging about you on this point won't turn out to be empty talk — so that you'll actually be ready, just like I said you would be.

Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we would be humiliated — not to mention you — for being so confident about this.

So I thought it was necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance the generous gift you had already promised. That way it will be ready as a real act of generosity, not something squeezed out of you.

Here's the point: whoever plants sparingly will harvest sparingly, and whoever plants generously will harvest generously.

Each person should give what they've already decided in their heart to give — not reluctantly, not because they feel pressured — because God loves someone who gives with joy.

And God is able to make every kind of generous favor overflow to you, so that in every situation, at all times, having everything you need, you'll overflow with every kind of good work.

As the Scriptures say: "He scattered his gifts freely, he gave to those in need — his generosity stands forever."

Now the one who provides seed to the planter and bread to eat will also provide and multiply your seed for planting, and will increase the harvest of your generosity.

You'll be made rich in every way so you can be generous in every situation, and through us your generosity will produce an outpouring of thanks to God.

Because this act of service isn't just meeting the needs of God's people — it's also producing an overwhelming flood of thanks to God.

Because this act of service proves something real about you, and people will honor God for your obedient commitment to the good news of The One, and for the generosity of your sharing with them and with everyone.

And in their prayers for you, their hearts will go out to you because of the extraordinary generous favor God has given you.

Thanks be to God for his gift that's too wonderful for words!