Generous Giving
1 My friends, we want you to know that the churches in Macedonia have shown others God's gift of undeserved grace. 2 Although they were going through hard times and were very poor, they were glad to give generously. 3 They gave as much as they could afford and even more, simply because they wanted to. 4 They even asked and begged us to let them have the joy of giving their money for God's people. 5 And they did more than we had hoped. They gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, just as God wanted them to do.
6 Titus was the one who got you started doing this good thing, so we begged him to help you finish what you had begun. 7 You do everything better than anyone else. You have stronger faith. You speak better and know more. You are eager to give, and you love us better. Now you must give more generously than anyone else.
8 I am not ordering you to do this. I am simply testing how real your love is by comparing it with the concern that others have shown. 9 You know our Lord Jesus Christ treated us with undeserved grace by giving up all his riches, so you could become rich.
10 A year ago you were the first ones to give, and you gave because you wanted to. So listen to my advice. 11 I think you should finish what you started. If you give according to what you have, you will prove you are as eager to give as you were to think about giving. 12 It doesn't matter how much you have. What matters is how much you are willing to give from what you have.
13 I am not trying to make life easier for others by making life harder for you. But it is only fair 14 for you to share with them when you have so much, and they have so little. Later, when they have more than enough, and you are in need, they can share with you. Then everyone will have a fair share, 15 just as the Scriptures say,
“Those who gathered
too much
had nothing left.
Those who gathered
only a little
had all they needed.”
Titus and His Friends
16 I am grateful that God made Titus care as much about you as we do. 17 When we begged Titus to visit you, he said he would. He wanted to because he cared so much for you. 18 With Titus we are also sending one of the Lord's followers who is well known in every church for spreading the good news. 19 The churches chose this follower to travel with us while we carry this gift that will bring praise to the Lord and show how much we hope to help. 20 We don't want anyone to find fault with the way we handle your generous gift. 21 But we want to do what pleases the Lord and what people think is right.
22 We are also sending someone else with Titus and the other follower. We approve of this man. In fact, he has already shown us many times that he wants to help. And now he wants to help even more than ever, because he trusts you so much. 23 Titus is my partner, who works with me to serve you. The other two followers are sent by the churches, and they bring honor to Christ. 24 Treat them in such a way that the churches will see your love and will know why we bragged about you.
1 We doe you also to wit, brethren, of the grace of God bestowed vpon the Churches of Macedonia, 2 Because in great triall of affliction their ioy abounded, and their most extreme pouertie abounded vnto their rich liberalitie. 3 For to their power (I beare record) yea, and beyonde their power, they were willing, 4 And praied vs with great instance that we woulde receiue the grace, and fellowship of the ministring which is toward the Saints. 5 And this they did, not as we looked for: but gaue their owne selues, first to the Lord, and after vnto vs by the will of God, 6 That we should exhort Titus, that as hee had begon, so he would also accomplish the same grace among you also. 7 Therefore, as yee abound in euery thing, in faith and woorde, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your loue towardes vs, euen so see that yee abound in this grace also. 8 This say I not by commandement, but because of the diligence of others: therefore prooue I the naturalnesse of your loue. 9 For ye knowe the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ, that hee being rich, for your sakes became poore, that yee through his pouertie might be made rich. 10 And I shewe my minde herein: for this is expedient for you, which haue begun not to doe onely, but also to will, a yeare agoe. 11 Nowe therefore performe to doe it also, that as there was a readinesse to will, euen so yee may performe it of that which yee haue. 12 For if there be first a willing minde, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. 13 Neither is it that other men should be eased and you grieued: But vpon like condition, at this time your abundance supplieth their lacke: 14 That also their aboundance may bee for your lacke, that there may be equalitie: 15 As it is written, Hee that gathered much, had nothing ouer, and hee that gathered litle, had not the lesse. 16 And thanks be vnto God, which hath put in the heart of Titus the same care for you. 17 Because hee accepted the exhortation, yea, hee was so carefull that of his owne accorde hee went vnto you. 18 And wee haue sent also with him the brother, whose praise is in the Gospel throughout al the Churches. 19 (And not so onely, but is also chosen of the Churches to be a fellowe in our iourney, concerning this grace that is ministred by vs vnto the glorie of the same Lord, and declaration of your prompt minde) 20 Auoiding this, that no man shoulde blame vs in this aboundance that is ministred by vs, 21 Prouiding for honest thinges, not onely before the Lord, but also before men. 22 And we haue sent with them our brother, whom we haue oft times prooued to be diligent in many thinges, but nowe much more diligent, for the great confidence, which I haue in you. 23 Whether any doe inquire of Titus, he is my fellowe and helper to you ward: or of our brethren, they are messengers of the Churches, and the glorie of Christ. 24 Wherefore shew toward them, and before the Churches the proofe of your loue, and of the reioycing that we haue of you.