2 Corinthians 8:6-16

6So we 1urged 2Titus that as he had previously 3made a beginning, so he would also complete in you 4this gracious work as well.

7But just as you 5excel 6in everything, in faith, speaking, knowledge, and in all earnestness and in the 7love we inspired in you, see that you also 8excel in this gracious work. 8I 9am not saying this as a command, but as proving, through the earnestness of others, the sincerity of your love as well. 9For you know 10the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that 11though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. 10I 12give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin 13a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. 11But now finish 14doing it also, so that just as there was the 15willingness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. 12For if the willingness is present, it is acceptable 16according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13For this is not for the relief of others and for your hardship, but by way of equality-- 14at this present time your abundance will serve as assistance for 17their need, so that their abundance also may 18serve as assistance for 19your need, so that there may be equality; 15as it is written: “20The one who had gathered much did not have too much, and the one who had gathered little did not have too little.”

16But 21thanks be to God who 22puts the same earnestness in your behalf in the heart of 23Titus.