God loves a cheerful giver

1We want you to know, brethren, about the grace of God which has been shown in the churches of Macedo'nia, 2for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of liberality on their part. 38.3: 1 Cor 16.2.For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will, 48.4: Acts 24.17; Rom 15.31.begging us earnestly for the favour of taking part in the relief of the saints — 5and this, not as we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. 68.6: 2 Cor 8.16, 23; 2.13.Accordingly we have urged Titus that as he had already made a beginning, he should also complete among you this gracious work. 7Now 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 gracious work also.

8I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 98.9: 2 Cor 6.10.For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. 108.10: 2 Cor 9.2; 1 Cor 16.2-3.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, 11so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. 12For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a man has, not according to what he has not. 13I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, 14but that as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their want, so that their abundance may supply your want, that there may be equality. 158.15: Ex 16.18.As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”

16But thanks be to God who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. 17For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. 188.18: 2 Cor 12.18.With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel; 198.19: 1 Cor 16.3-4.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 and to show our good will. 20We intend that no one should blame us about this liberal gift which we are administering, 21for we aim at what is honourable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of men. 22And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you. 23As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker in your service; and as for our brethren, they are messengers8.23 Greek apostles of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24So give proof, before the churches, of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.