1. And now, brothers and sisters, we want to tell you what God’s grace has done in the churches in Macedonia.
2. These believers have been tested by great troubles, and they are very poor. But their great joy caused them to be very generous in their giving.
3. I can tell you that they gave as much as they were able and even more than they could afford. No one told them to do this. It was their idea.
4. But they asked us again and again—they begged us to let them share in this service for God’s people.
5. And they gave in a way that we did not expect: They gave themselves to the Lord and to us before they gave their money. This is what God wants.
6. So we asked Titus to help you finish this special work of giving. He is the one who started this work.
7. You are rich in everything—in faith, in speaking ability, in knowledge, in the willingness to help, and in the love you learned from us. So now we want you to be rich in this work of giving too.
8. I am not ordering you to give, but I want to see how real your love is by comparing you with others who have been so ready and willing to help.
9. You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. You know that he gave up his heavenly riches for you. He gave up everything so that you could be richly blessed.
10. This is what I think you should do: Last year you were the first to want to give, and you were the first who gave.
11. So now finish the work you started. Then your “doing” will be equal to your “wanting to do.” Give from what you have.
12. If you want to give, your gift will be accepted. Your gift will be judged by what you have, not by what you don’t have.
13. We don’t want you to have troubles while others are comforted. We want everything to be equal.
14. At this time you have plenty and can provide what they need. Then later, when they have plenty, they can provide what you need. Then everyone will have an equal share.
15. As the Scriptures say, “Those who gathered much did not have too much, and those who gathered little did not have too little.” Exodus 16:18
16. I thank God because he gave Titus the same love for you that I have.