1 C hristian brothers, we want you to know how the loving-favor of God has been shown in the churches in the country of Macedonia.

We want to tell you further, brethren, about the grace (the favor and spiritual blessing) of God which has been evident in the churches of Macedonia;

2 T hey have been put to the test by much trouble, but they have much joy. They have given much even though they were very poor.

For in the midst of an ordeal of severe tribulation, their abundance of joy and their depth of poverty have overflowed in wealth of lavish generosity on their part.

3 T hey gave as much as they could because they wanted to.

For, as I can bear witness, according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability; and voluntarily,

4 T hey asked from their hearts if they could help the Christians in Jerusalem.

Begging us most insistently for the favor and the fellowship of contributing in this ministration for the saints.

5 I t was more than we expected. They gave themselves to the Lord first. Then they gave themselves to us to be used as the Lord wanted.

Nor that we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God '> entirely disregarding their personal interests, they gave as much as they possibly could, having put themselves at our disposal to be directed by the will of God]—

6 W e asked Titus to keep on helping you finish this act of love. He was the one to begin this.

So much so that we have urged Titus that as he began it, he should also complete this beneficent and gracious contribution among you.

7 Y ou are rich in everything. You have faith. You can preach. You have much learning. You have a strong desire to help. And you have love for us. Now do what you should about giving also.

Now as you abound and excel and are at the front in everything—in faith, in expressing yourselves, in knowledge, in all zeal, and in your love for us— abound and excel in this gracious work also.

8 I am not saying that you must do this, but I have told you how others have helped. This is a way to prove how true your love is.

I give this not as an order, but to prove, by the zeal of others, the sincerity of your love also.

9 Y ou know of the loving-favor shown by our Lord Jesus Christ. He was rich, but He became poor for your good. In that way, because He became poor, you might become rich.

For you are becoming progressively acquainted with and recognizing more strongly and clearly the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (His kindness, His gracious generosity, His undeserved favor and spiritual blessing), that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, in order that by His poverty you might become enriched (abundantly supplied).

10 T his is what I think. You had better finish what you started a year ago. You were the first to want to give a gift of money.

my counsel and my opinion in this matter that I give: It is profitable and fitting for you which more than a year ago you not only began, but were the first to wish to do anything.

11 N ow do it with the same strong desires you had when you started.

So now finish doing it, that your readiness in desiring it may be equalled by your completion of it according to your ability and means.

12 I f a man is ready and willing to give, he should give of what he has, not of what he does not have.

For if the readiness to give is there, then it is acceptable and welcomed in proportion to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

13 T his does not mean that others do not have to give and you have to give much. You should share alike.

For it is not that other people be eased and relieved and you be burdened and suffer,

14 Y ou have more than you need now. When you have need, then they can help you. You should share alike.

But to have equality, your surplus over necessity at the present time going to meet their want and to equalize the difference created by it, so that their surplus in turn may be given to supply your want. Thus there may be equality,

15 T he Holy Writings say, “The man who gathered much did not have too much. The man who did not gather much had enough.” Titus Will Be Coming

As it is written, He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little did not lack.

16 I thank God that He gave Titus the same desire to help you.

But thanks be to God Who planted the same earnest zeal and care for you in the heart of Titus.

17 H e was glad when we asked him to help you. He decided himself to go to you.

For he not only welcomed and responded to our appeal, but was himself so keen in his enthusiasm and interest in you that he is going to you of his own accord.

18 W e are sending the Christian brother along. He is respected in the churches for his preaching.

But we are sending along with him that brother whose praise in the Gospel ministry throughout all the churches;

19 N ot only that, but he has been asked by the churches to travel with me to Jerusalem. He will help in giving them the gift. The Lord will be honored by it because it shows how we want to help each other.

And more than that, he has been appointed by the churches to travel as our companion in regard to this bountiful contribution which we are administering for the glory of the Lord Himself and our eager readiness.

20 W e want everyone to trust us with the way we take this large gift of money to them.

we are on our guard, intending that no one should find anything for which to blame us in regard to our administration of this large contribution.

21 W e want to do the right thing. We want God and men to know we are honest.

For we take thought beforehand and aim to be honest and absolutely above suspicion, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men.

22 W e are sending another Christian brother with them. We have tested him many times. His faith has proven to be true. He wants very much to help because he trusts you.

Moreover, along with them we are sending our brother, whom we have often put to the test and have found him zealous (devoted and earnest) in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of absolute confidence in you.

23 T itus works with me to help you. The other two Christian brothers have been sent by the churches. Their lives honor Christ.

As for Titus, he is my colleague and shares my work in your service; and as for the brethren, they are the messengers of the churches, a credit and glory to Christ (the Messiah).

24 S how these men you love them and let the churches see your love. Show them the reason I am proud of you.

Show to these men, therefore, in the sight of the churches, the reality and plain truth of your love (your affection, goodwill, and benevolence) and what I had for boasting about and being proud of you.