Encouragement to Give Generously

1 We want you to know, brothers,¹ about the grace of God that has been given ^kamong the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their ^labundance of joy and ^mtheir extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave ⁿaccording to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor² of taking part in the ^orelief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. 6 Accordingly, ^pwe urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this ^qact of grace. 7 But ^ras you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you³—see that you excel in this act of grace also.

8 ^sI say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is ^tgenuine. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, ^uyet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might ^vbecome rich.

13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness 14 your abundance at the present time should supply their ^xneed, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. 15 As it is written, ^y“Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”