On Giving Graciously
[1-9] Besides this, Christians, we want you to know of the grace God has given to the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great test of suffering, most of their joy and their deep poverty was found in the riches of their freedom in giving. They gave what they were able to, I say, and yes, even more than they were really able to, willing giving of their own free will; Asking and begging us to take the gift, and let them share in the blessing of helping the Christians. And they did this, not as we had hoped, but first gave their own selves to God, and then to us by the will of God. So much so, that we wanted Titus, just as he had begun, to pass on the same acts of grace in you also. So, as you grew fruitful in every thing else, in faith, in words, in knowledge, and in all your concern and love for us, see that you grow fruitful in your acts of grace in giving as well. This isn’t a command, but I speak on account of the gracefulness of others, and to prove the honesty of your love. And you know the grace of our Christ, Yeshua, who was rich, and still for your sakes became poor, that you might become rich through Christ’s own poverty.
[10-15] And in this I give my advice because this is necessary for you, who have begun to not only want to do, but also to do it over a year ago. So now act on your wanting to do it; so as there was a willingness, your actions can follow also out of what you have to give. If there is a willing mind first, then whatever you have to give is acceptable, and it doesn’t matter what you haven’t got to give. I don’t mean that other people shouldn’t give at all, and you to be overly troubled by giving: But give on an equal basis, so that now in the time of your plenty you can give whatever they need, and that when they are able they can also give you what you need: so that there is a balance: As the Word says, Whoever took in richly had nothing over; and whoever had took in little didn’t lack anything.
[16-24] And I thank God, who put the same true care that I have for you into the heart of Titus. And to be sure, he not only accepted this responsibility; but being so excited about it, went to you of his own accord. And another Christian coworker, whose is praised in the work of the New Word throughout all the churches is coming along; And not that only, but this is the one who was chosen by the churches to travel along with us for this responsibility, which is overseen by us to the praise of Christ, and to prove your willingness to give: We want to stop anyone from blaming us falsely in this responsibility which we oversee: Trying to do what is honest, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of humanity. And we’ve also sent with them our Christian coworker, whom we’ve proved to be careful in many things many times, but now how much more careful in this great trust, which I have in you. If anyone asks about Titus, he’s my coworker and helper to you: or if anyone asks about these Christian coworkers, they’re the messengers of the churches, and the praise of Christ. So show them, and to the churches, the proof of your love, and of our bragging about you.
The Gift Better than Words
[1-7] So as touching the ministering to the Christians, it’s really not needed for me to write to you: because I know you have a willing mind, which is why I brag of you to those of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your passion has stirred up a very many more into action. Yet I have sent these Christian coworkers, in case our bragging of you in this way means nothing; and that, as I said, you can be ready: In case it so happens that if those of Macedonia decide to come with me and find you unprepared, that both we and you would be ashamed that we bragged about you so surely. So I thought it necessary to encourage these Christian coworkers to go ahead to you, and take up your willing gift, in which you had already known about, so that it might be ready, as a free-will offering, and not be given unwillingly. But I say this, those who give sparingly will also bring in sparingly; and those who give graciously will also bring in graciously. So let everyone give as they plan in their heart; not complaining about it, or because they feel they have to, because God loves a joyful giver.
