Charles Spurgeon Commentary 2 Corinthians 8:1-2

"Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia; how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality." — 2 Corinthians 8:1-2 (ASV)

Of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia.

How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

It is good to stir one Christian up by the example of another, and Paul excites those at Corinth by the example of the churches in Macedonia—especially, no doubt, the church at Philippi. He says that they were in great affliction, and they were very poor, yet they had been so filled with the grace of God that their very poverty had enabled them to abound to the riches of their liberality, for what they gave became more in proportion because they were so poor.