2Corinthians:8

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* And now , brethren , we want you to know of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia ; * For during a great test of affliction , the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty overflowed in a wealth of liberality . * For I bear witness that they gave according to their ability , yea , and beyond their ability , and of their own accord ; * Begging us most insistently that we would allow them the privilege of taking part in this service to the saints . * And this they did , not as we expected , but they first gave themselves to the Lord , and to us by the will of God . * So we urged Titus , since he had already begun , that he would also finish this gracious work among you . * Therefore , as you excel in everything , in faith , and utterance , and knowledge , and in all earnestness , and in your love for us , see that you excel in this gracious work as well . * I do not speak this as a commandment , but to use the zeal of others to test the sincerity of your own love . * For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ , that , though he was rich , yet for your sakes he became poor , that through his poverty you might become rich . * And here I give my advice about what is best for you : a year ago you were the first not only to give , but to desire to do so . * Therefore , complete the doing of it ; that as there was a readiness in desiring it , so there may also be a completion of it , according to your means . * For if there is first a willing mind , it is acceptable , according to what a man has , and not according to that he does not have . * I do not intend that other men be eased , and you burdened , * But for there to be equality ; at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want , that their abundance may also be a supply for your want : that there may be equality . * As it is written , He who gathered much did not have too much ; and he who gathered little had no lack . * But thanks be to God , who put the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus . * For he not only accepted our appeal ; but being very earnest , he is going to you of his own accord . * And we have sent with him the brother whose fame in the gospel ministry has spread throughout all the churches ; * And not only that , but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work , which is administered by us for the glory of the Lord himself , and to show our good will . * We intend that that no man should blame us about this abundant gift which we are administering : * For we take care to do what is honest , not only in the sight of the Lord , but also in the sight of men . * And we have sent with them our brother , whom we have often tested and found to be diligent in many things , but now much more diligent , because of the great confidence which he has in you . * As for Titus , he is my partner and fellow worker among you ; and as for our brethren , they are messengers of the churches , a glory to Christ . * Therefore show to them , before the churches , the proof of your love , and the reason for our boasting about you .

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