2 Corinthians 8:6-17

⁶So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well.

⁷But just as you excel in everything, in faith, speaking, knowledge, and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you also excel in this gracious work. ⁸I am not saying this as a command, but as proving, through the earnestness of others, the sincerity of your love as well. ⁹For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. ¹⁰I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. ¹¹But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the willingness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. ¹²For if the willingness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. ¹³For this is not for the relief of others and for your hardship, but by way of equality— ¹⁴at this present time your abundance will serve as assistance for their need, so that their abundance also may serve as assistance for your need, so that there may be equality; ¹⁵as it is written: “The one who had gathered much did not have too much, and the one who had gathered little did not have too little.”

¹⁶But thanks be to God who puts the same earnestness in your behalf in the heart of Titus. ¹⁷For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest, he has gone to you of his own accord.