Charles Spurgeon Commentary 2 Corinthians 8:2

"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 8:2 (ASV)

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

They were very poor people in Macedonia but they loved God so much that they abounded in liberality. Considering how little they possessed, and how much they were tried and persecuted, they had been wonderfully generous.