2Corinthians:8

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* Now , brethren , we want you to know about the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia , * for in a severe test of affliction , their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth of their liberality . * For I testify that according to their ability , and even beyond their ability , they gave of their own free will , * urgently pleading with us for the privilege of sharing in the relief of the saints . * And they did not do as we expected , but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God . * So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning , he would also complete in you this work of grace . * But as you excel in everything —in faith , in utterance , in knowledge , in all earnestness , and in your love for us —see that you excel in this work of grace also . * I am not speaking this as a command , but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others . * For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ , that though he was rich , yet for your sakes he became poor , so that through his poverty you might become rich . * And in this matter I give my advice : it is best for you now to complete what a year ago you began not only to do but to desire . * Now finish the work , so that your readiness to do it may be matched by your completion of it , according to your means . * For if the readiness is there , it is acceptable according to what a man has , not according to what he does not have . * For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened ; * but at the present time your abundance should supply their need , so that their abundance may supply your need , that there may be equality . * As it is written , * But thanks be to God who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus . * For he not only accepted our appeal , but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord . * And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his preaching of the gospel ; * and not only that , but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work which we are carrying on , for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will . * We intend that no one should blame us about this liberal gift which we are administering , * for we have regard for what is honorable , not only in the sight of the Lord , but also in the sight of men . * And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often proved diligent in many matters , but who is now more diligent than ever because of his great confidence 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 openly before the churches , show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our boasting about you .

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