2 Corinthians 8:7-15

7But just as you 1excel 2in everything, in faith, speaking, knowledge, and in all earnestness and in the 3love we inspired in you, see that you also 4excel in this gracious work. 8I 5am not saying this as a command, but as proving, through the earnestness of others, the sincerity of your love as well. 9For you know 6the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that 7though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. 10I 8give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin 9a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. 11But now finish 10doing it also, so that just as there was the 11willingness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. 12For if the willingness is present, it is acceptable 12according 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 13their need, so that their abundance also may 14serve as assistance for 15your need, so that there may be equality; 15as it is written: “16The one who had gathered much did not have too much, and the one who had gathered little did not have too little.”