2 corinthians 8 (NMV)
1 We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia.
2 In a severe test of pressure and suffering, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
3 I can testify that, according to their ability and even beyond their ability, they gave voluntarily,
4 begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in the service to the believers who belong to Christ.
5 And not just as we had hoped, on the contrary, they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us by God's will.
6 So we urged Titus that, just as he had begun, he should also complete among you this act of grace.
7 Now as you excel in everything, in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in the love we have stirred up in you, see that you also excel in this act of grace.
8 I am not saying this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love by comparing it with the diligence of others.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: though He was rich, for your sake He became poor, so that through His poverty you might become rich.
10 And in this matter I am giving advice, because it is beneficial for you, who began doing this a year ago, not only to do it but also to desire it.
11 Now finish the work as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.
12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
13 Our desire is not that others would be eased while you are burdened, but that there would be a fair balance.
14 At the present time, your abundance can supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, in order that there may be equality.
15 As it is written: "The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not lack."
16 Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you.
17 For he not only accepted our appeal, but being very eager, he is going to you of his own accord.
18 We are sending with him the brother who is praised among all the churches for his service in proclaiming the good news.
19 And not only that, but he was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in this act of grace that we are carrying out for the glory of the Lord and to show our readiness.
20 We are taking this precaution so that no one will criticize us regarding this large sum being administered by us.
21 For we are concerned to do what is right, not only before the Lord but also before people.
22 We are also sending with them our brother whom we have often tested and found diligent in many matters, and now even more diligent because of his great confidence in you.
23 As for Titus, he is my partner and coworker for you; as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ.
24 Therefore show them the proof of your love and the reason for our boasting about you, in the sight of the churches.