4. they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.
5. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.
6. So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part.
7. But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you —see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
8. I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.
9. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
10. And here is my judgment 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.