2 Corinthians 8:1-7

Contemporary English Version

Generous Giving

8 ^(A) My friends, we want you to know that the churches in Macedonia^[a] have shown others God's gift of undeserved grace. ² Although they were going through hard times and were very poor, they were glad to give generously. ³ They gave as much as they could afford and even more, simply because they wanted to. ⁴ They even asked and begged us to let them have the joy of giving their money for God's people. ⁵ And they did more than we had hoped. They gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, just as God wanted them to do.

⁶ Titus was the one who got you started doing this good thing, so we begged him to help you finish what you had begun. ⁷ You do everything better than anyone else. You have stronger faith. You speak better and know more. You are eager to give, and you love us better.^[b] Now you must give more generously than anyone else.