2Corinthians:8-9
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Moreover ,
brethren ,
we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia ;
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How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality .
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For to their power ,
I bear record ,
yea ,
and beyond their power they were willing of themselves ;
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Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift ,
and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints .
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And this they did ,
not as we hoped ,
but first gave their own selves to the Lord ,
and unto us by the will of God .
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Insomuch that we desired Titus ,
that as he had begun ,
so he would also finish in you the same grace also .
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Therefore ,
as ye abound in every thing ,
in faith ,
and utterance ,
and knowledge ,
and in all diligence ,
and in your love to us ,
see that ye abound in this grace also .
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I speak not by commandment ,
but by occasion of the forwardness of others ,
and to prove the sincerity of your love .
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For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ ,
that ,
though he was rich ,
yet for your sakes he became poor ,
that ye through his poverty might be rich .
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And herein I give my advice :
for this is expedient for you ,
who have begun before ,
not only to do ,
but also to be forward a year ago .
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Now therefore perform the doing of it ;
that as there was a readiness to will ,
so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have .
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For if there be first a willing mind ,
it is accepted according to that a man hath ,
and not according to that he hath not .
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For I mean not that other men be eased ,
and ye burdened :
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But by an equality ,
that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want ,
that their abundance also may be a supply for your want :
that there may be equality :
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As it is written ,
He that had gathered much had nothing over ;
and he that had gathered little had no lack .
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But thanks be to God ,
which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you .
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For indeed he accepted the exhortation ;
but being more forward ,
of his own accord he went unto you .
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And we have sent with him the brother ,
whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches ;
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And not that only ,
but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace ,
which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord ,
and declaration of your ready mind :
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Avoiding this ,
that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us :
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Providing for honest things ,
not only in the sight of the Lord ,
but also in the sight of men .
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And we have sent with them our brother ,
whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things ,
but now much more diligent ,
upon the great confidence which I have in you .
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Whether any do enquire of Titus ,
he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you :
or our brethren be enquired of ,
they are the messengers of the churches ,
and the glory of Christ .
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Wherefore shew ye to them ,
and before the churches ,
the proof of your love ,
and of our boasting on your behalf .
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For as touching the ministering to the saints ,
it is superfluous for me to write to you :
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For I know the forwardness of your mind ,
for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia ,
that Achaia was ready a year ago ;
and your zeal hath provoked very many .
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Yet have I sent the brethren ,
lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf ;
that ,
as I said ,
ye may be ready :
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Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me ,
and find you unprepared ,
we (
that we say not ,
ye )
should be ashamed in this same confident boasting .
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Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren ,
that they would go before unto you ,
and make up beforehand your bounty ,
whereof ye had notice before ,
that the same might be ready ,
as a matter of bounty ,
and not as of covetousness .
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But this I say ,
He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly ;
and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully .
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Every man according as he purposeth in his heart ,
so let him give ;
not grudgingly ,
or of necessity :
for God loveth a cheerful giver .
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And God is able to make all grace abound toward you ;
that ye ,
always having all sufficiency in all things ,
may abound to every good work :
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As it is written ,
He hath dispersed abroad ;
he hath given to the poor :
his righteousness remaineth for ever .
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Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food ,
and multiply your seed sown ,
and increase the fruits of your righteousness ;)
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Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness ,
which causeth through us thanksgiving to God .
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For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints ,
but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God ;
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Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ ,
and for your liberal distribution unto them ,
and unto all men ;
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And by their prayer for you ,
which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you .
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Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift .
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Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ ,
who in presence am base among you ,
but being absent am bold toward you :
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