2 Corinthians 8:1-24
Generosity Encouraged
1And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. 6So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
8I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
10And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
13Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, 15as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."[b]
Titus Sent to Corinth
16I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. 17For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. 18And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. 19What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. 20We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.
22In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. 24Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.
St. Paul in chapter eight of Second Corinthians talks about sending Titus to Corinth to help the people of Corinth and to keep the churches running smoothly...Titus is a partner and fellow worker of St. Paul's...It was of most importance for Titus to keep teaching the Good News...Paul tells the people that Titus has the same concern for them, that he has...Paul is also sending two brothers...Both of the brothers are not mentioned by name...One unnamed brother has been praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel...The other brother is zealous and has great confidence in the people of Corinth...Titus will be collecting a fund...The brothers, who are going with Titus to Corinth, will help with the offering...Paul encourages the Corinthians to treat Titus and the other brothers as he is treated by them and to show (them) proof of their love by their generosity...
Paul praises the generosity of the Macedonian churches...He brings up the issue of generous giving...The followers in Corinth were better off in material things than some of St. Paul's other early churches...
Jesus was not rich...He had the capacity to be the wealthiest man ever on earth...But, instead He grew up poor and was poor...Money was not a priority for Him...He did not go from person to person (or town to town) in comfort... Whoever, wants to follow Jesus must deny himself and take up his daily cross and follow His teachings...Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will save it (Luke 9:23-24)...His poverty and love (for us) made Him rich...Wealth would not have had Him a better person...Money might have made Him more comfortable in His ministry...Jesus had no focus on money, but to teach us that the love of money is evil...Money is for helping others and meeting our basic needs...
St. Paul adds that "he who gathered much did not have much and he he who gathered little did not have too little."...How much one has is not what is important...St. Paul teaches us that if the willingness is there, a generous gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have (2 Corinthians 8:12)...St. Paul teaches us that love has mercy on his neighbor and a neighbor in need...What is important is love of God and love of neighbor...