Previous     Next       Play // Stop Sound    

          DASV: 2 Corinthians 8    

1 Now, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God that
has been given to the churches of Macedonia,
2 how that in a great trial of affliction their abundant joy
and their deep poverty overflowed in the riches of their
generosity.
3 For I can testify that they gave according to their ability,
and beyond their ability of their own free will,
4 begging us, insisting for the privilege of sharing in the
support of the saints.
5 They did this, not just as we had hoped, but first they
gave themselves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God.
6 So we urged Titus, that as he already had begun before,
that he should also complete this grace among you as well.
7 But as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech,
in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in love from us in
you--be sure that you excel in this grace of generosity also.
8 I am not ordering it as a command, but as a test of the
genuineness of your love in comparison to the eagerness
of others.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that
though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor,
that you by his poverty might become rich.
10 So here I offer my advice on this matter: for this is
to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year
ago not only to do it, but also to desire to give.
11 So now finish it, so that your eagerness may be matched
by the finishing it out of what you have.
12 For if the eagerness is there, then the gift is
acceptable according what one has, not according what
one does not have.
13 For I do not say this that there should be relief
for others and you be burdened, but as a matter of
equality.
14 Right now your abundance meets their need, that
sometime their abundance may in turn meet your need;
that there may be equality.
15 As it is written,
      "The one who gathered much
            had nothing left over;
      and the one who gathered little
            did not have too little."

16 But thanks be to God, who put the same concern I have
for your care into the heart of Titus.
17 For he not only accepted our appeal, but he himself
being very eager is coming to you of his own accord.
18 Now we are sending with him the brother who is
praised in all the church for proclaiming the gospel.
19 Not only that, but he was also appointed by the
churches to travel with us in this act of grace, which
is administered by us to the glory of the Lord, and
to demonstrate our readiness to help.
20 We take this precaution so that no one will blame us
in the matter of administering this generous gift.
21 For we are careful to do what is right, not only
in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
22 We are also sending with them our brother, whom we
have many times tested in many things and found him
eager, but now much more eager, because of his great
confidence in you.
23 As for Titus, he is my partner and my co-worker for
you; as for our brothers, they are the messengers of
the churches, the glory of Christ.
24 Therefore show them openly before the churches the
proof of your love and of our boasting about you.

 Previous     Next       Play // Stop Sound