Why Giving is Important

9 I do not need to write to you any further about the ministry to the saints. ² For I know how willing you are, and I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying^[a] that Achaia has been ready since last year, and your enthusiasm has stimulated most of them. ³ Now I have sent the brothers so that our boasting about you in this matter may not prove to be an idle boast, and so that you may stand ready, just as I said. ⁴ Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find out that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—in this undertaking. ⁵ Therefore, I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to visit you ahead of me, to make arrangements in advance for this gift you promised, and to have it ready as something given generously and not forced.