2 Corinthians 8

1Brothers and sisters, I want you to know about God's amazing grace. God poured out His grace on the churches in Macedonia!

2They suffered great trouble, but they had great joy. They were very poor, yet they gave generously, like rich people give.

3I am an eyewitness to their incredible generosity. They gave as much as they were able, and even more than they were able. They gave willingly.

4They urged me and my companions strongly, asking us to accept the gift, because they wanted to share in helping God's people.

5They did more than we expected. First they gave themselves to the Lord. Then they gave themselves to us, because God willed it.

6So we asked Titus to finish what he had started. Titus had already begun this gift of grace among you.

7You excel in many things: faith, speech, knowledge, diligence, and love for us. I urge you to excel in giving too.

8I am not commanding you. I mention other believers' diligence to test the genuineness of your love.

9You know the incredible grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though He was fabulously rich, He became poor for your sake! Through His poverty, He made you spiritually rich forever.

10I give you advice that will help you. Last year you were the first to want to give, and you started giving.

11Now you must finish the task. You were eager to begin; now you must finish, giving from what you have.

12If a person has an eager heart, God accepts the gift based on what the person has, not on what the person lacks.

13I do not want others to be relieved while you suffer hardship. I want complete fairness among God's people!

14Right now, you have plenty to supply their desperate need. Later on, their abundance can supply your need.

15The Scripture says: The person who gathered much had nothing left over. And the person who gathered little had plenty to eat!

16I thank God. God put the same diligent care for you into Titus's heart.

17Titus accepted my urging. He was diligent, so he went to you on his own initiative.

18We sent a brother with Titus. All the churches praise him for his gospel work.

19More than that, the churches chose him to travel with us. He helps carry out the gift, for the Lord's glory, and to show your eagerness.

20We want to protect our reputation from any dishonest blame. No one can accuse us of stealing a penny from this large gift!

21We make sure everything is completely honest before the Lord and people.

22We sent another brother with Titus and the first brother. We have tested him many times and found him diligent. Now he is even more diligent, because I have great confidence in you.

23If anyone asks about Titus: he is my partner and helper concerning you. If anyone asks about the brothers: they are messengers of the churches and bring honor to Christ.

24Therefore, show these men, and show the churches, proof of your love. This proof will confirm my boasting about you.