New Testament

2 Corinthians — Chapter 8

  1. We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,
  2. for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
  3. For, as I can testify, they voluntarily gave according to their means, and even beyond their means,
  4. begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—
  5. and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and, by the will of God, to us.
  6. So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part.
  7. But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.
  8. I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.
  9. For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
  10. And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something—
  11. now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means.
  12. For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has—not according to what one does not have.
  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 need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.
  15. As it is written, “The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little.”
  16. Now thanks be to God who put the same eagerness on your part to help others and us.
  17. For this is the encouragement you received from us, and what you heard from Titus,
  18. and the zeal of others, who have made a beginning of this work and have finished it in your behalf.
  19. So, as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.
  20. I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.
  21. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
  22. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
  23. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.
  24. As it is written, “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”
  25. He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
  26. You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us;
  27. for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God.
  28. Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing with them and with all others,
  29. while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you.
  30. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!