Excel in Giving
1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia:
2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy andtheir deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.
3 For I bear witness that according totheirability, yes, and beyondtheirability,theywerefreely willing,
4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift andthe fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
5 And notonlyas we had hoped, but they firstgave themselves to the Lord, andthento us by thewill of God.
6 Sowe urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well.
7 But asyou abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—seethat you abound in this grace also.
Christ Our Pattern
8 I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might becomerich.
10 And in thisI give advice:It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began andwere desiring to do a year ago;
11 but now you also must complete the doingofit;that astherewasa readiness to desireit,sotherealsomaybea completion out of whatyouhave.
12 Forif there is first a willing mind,itisaccepted according to what one has,andnot according to what he does not have.
13 ForIdonot mean that others should be eased and you burdened;
14 but by an equality,thatnow at this time your abundancemaysupplytheir lack, that their abundance also maysupplyyour lack—that there may be equality.
15 As it is written,“He whogatheredmuch had nothing left over, and he whogatheredlittle had no lack.”
Collection for the Judean Saints
16 But thanksbeto God who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.
17 For he not only accepted the exhortation, but being more diligent, he went to you of his own accord.
18 And we have sent with himthe brother whose praiseisin the gospel throughout all the churches,
19 and not onlythat,but who was alsochosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by usto the glory of the Lord Himself andtoshowyour ready mind,
20 avoiding this: that anyone should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us—
21 providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
22 And we have sent with them our brother whom we have often proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, because of the great confidence whichwehavein you.
23 IfanyoneinquiresaboutTitus,heismy partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethrenareinquiredabout, they aremessengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.
24 Therefore show to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love and of ourboasting on your behalf.