Completing the Collection for the Saints

8:1 Now we make known to you, brothers and sisters,1 the grace of God given to the churches of Macedonia, 8:2 that during a severe ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth2 of their generosity. 8:3 For I testify, they gave according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily,3 8:4 begging us with great earnestness for the blessing and fellowship of helping4 the saints. 8:5 And they did this not just as we had hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us by the will of God. 8:6 Thus5 we urged6 Titus that, just as he had previously begun this work,7 so also he should complete this act of kindness8 for you. 8:7 But as you excel9 in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, and in all eagerness and in the love from us that is in you10—make sure that you excel11 in this act of kindness12 too. 8:8 I am not saying this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love by comparison with the eagerness of others.13 8:9 For you know the grace14 of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that you by his poverty could become rich. 8:10 So here is my opinion on this matter: It is to your advantage, since you15 made a good start last year both in your giving and your desire to give, 8:11 to finish what you started,16 so that just as you wanted to do it eagerly,17 you can also complete it18 according to your means.19 8:12 For if the eagerness is present, the gift itself20 is acceptable according to whatever one has, not according to what he does not have. 8:13 For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter of equality. 8:14 At the present time, your abundance will meet their need,21 so that one day their abundance may also meet your need, and thus there may be equality, 8:15 as it is written: “The one who gathered22 much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”23