II CORINTHIANS CHAPTER VIII

MOREOVER, brethren, we do you to wit of the 
grace of God bestowed on the churches of 
Macedonia;
2 How that in a great trial of affliction, the 
abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, 
abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 
3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond 
their power, they were willing of themselves;
4 Praying us with much entreaty, that we would 
receive the give, and take upon us the fellowship of 
the ministering to the saints. 
5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first 
gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by 
the will of God:
6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he 
had begun, so he would also finish in you the same 
grace also. 
7 Therefore, as ye about in every thing, in faith,
and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence,
and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this 
grace also. 
8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion
of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity 
of your love. 
9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became
poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 
10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient
for you, who have begun before, not only to 
do, but also to be forward a year ago.  
11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as 
there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance 
also out of that which ye have. 
12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted 
according to that a man hath, and not according 
to that he hath not. 
13 For I mean not that the other men be eased, and 
you burdened: 
14 But by an equality, that now at this time your 
abundance may be a supply for their want, that their 
abundance also may be a supply for your want: that 
there may be equality:
15 As it is written, He that had gathered much 
had nothing over; and he that hath gathered little 
had no lack. 
16 But thanks be to God, which put the same
earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. 
17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but 
being more forward, of his own accord he went unto 
you. 
18 And we have sent him the brother, whose 
praise is  in the gospel throughout all the churches;
19 And not that only, but who was also chosen
of the churches to travel with us with this grace, 
which is administered by us to the glory of the 
same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:
20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us 
in this abundance which is administered by us: 
21 Providing for honest things, not only in the 
sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. 
22 And we have sent with them our brother, 
whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many 
things, but now much more diligent, upon the great 
confidence which I have in you. 
23 Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner 
and fellow-helper concerning you: or our brethren
be inquired of, they are the messengers of the 
churches, and the glory of Christ. 
24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the
churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting 
on your behalf.