Part 6

008:004 With earnest entreaty they begged from us the favour of being allowed to share in the service now being rendered to God's people.

008:005 They not only did this, as we had expected, but first of all in obedience to God's will they gave their own selves to the Lord and to us.

008:006 This led us to urge Titus that, as he had previously been the one who commenced the work, so he should now go and complete among you this act of beneficence also.

008:007 Yes, just as you are already very rich in faith, readiness of speech, knowledge, unwearied zeal, and in the love that is in you, implanted by us, see to it that this grace of liberal giving also flourishes in you.

008:008 I am not saying this by way of command, but to test by the standard of other men's earnestness the genuineness of your love also.

008:009 For you know the condescending goodness of our Lord Jesus Christ-- how for your sakes He became poor, though He was rich, in order that you through His poverty might grow rich.

008:010 But in this matter I give you an opinion; for my doing this helps forward your own intentions, seeing that not only have you begun operations, but a year ago you already had the desire to do so.

008:011 And now complete the doing also, in order that, just as there was then the eagerness in desiring, there may now be the accomplishment in proportion to your means.

008:012 For, assuming the earnest willingness, the gift is acceptable according to whatever a man has, and not according to what he has not.

008:013 I do not urge you to give in order that others may have relief while you are unduly pressed,

008:014 but that, by equalization of burdens, your superfluity having in the present emergency supplied their deficiency, their superfluity may in turn be a supply for your deficiency later on, so that there may be equalization of burdens.

008:015 Even as it is written, "He who gathered much had not too much, and he who gathered little had not too little."

008:016 But thanks be to God that He inspires the heart of Titus with the same deep interest in you;

008:017 for Titus welcomed our request, and, being thoroughly in earnest, comes to you of his own free will.

008:018 And we send with him the brother whose praises for his earnestness in proclaiming the Good News are heard throughout all the Churches.

008:019 And more than that, he is the one who was chosen by the vote of the Churches to travel with us, sharing our commission in the administration of this generous gift to promote the Lord's glory and gratify our own strong desire.

008:020 For against one thing we are on our guard--I mean against blame being thrown upon us in respect to these large and liberal contributions which are under our charge.

008:021 For we seek not only God's approval of our integrity, but man's also.

008:022 And we send with them our brother, of whose zeal we have had frequent proof in many matters, and who is now more zealous than ever through the strong confidence which he has in you.

008:023 As for Titus, remember that he is a partner with me, and is my comrade in my labours for you. And as for our brethren, remember that they are delegates from the Churches, and are men in whom Christ is glorified.

008:024 Exhibit therefore to the Churches a proof of your love, and a justification of our boasting to these brethren about you.

009:001 As to the services which are being rendered to God's people, it is really unnecessary for me to write to you.

009:002 For I know your earnest willingness, on account of which I habitually boast of you to the Macedonians, pointing out to them that for a whole year you in Greece have been ready; and the greater number of them have been spurred on by your ardour.

009:003 Still I send the brethren in order that in this matter our boast about you may not turn out to have been an idle one; so that, as I have said, you may be ready;

009:004 for fear that, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we--not to say you yourselves--should be put to the blush in respect to this confidence.

009:005 I have thought it absolutely necessary therefore to request these brethren to visit you before I myself come, and to make sure beforehand that the gift of love which you have already promised may be ready as a gift of love, and may not seem to have been something which I have extorted from you.

009:006 But do not forget that he who sows with a niggardly hand will also reap a niggardly crop, and that he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

009:007 Let each contribute what he has decided upon in his own mind, and not do it reluctantly or under compulsion. "It is a cheerful giver that God loves."