For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews,

so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this.

The abundance

Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.

Their deep

A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent.

And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury.

Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

The riches

as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things.

you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.

However, there will be no poor among you, since the Lord will surely bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess,

The

generous man will be prosperous,

And he who waters will himself be watered.

No longer will the fool be called noble,
Or the rogue be spoken of as generous.

Liberality

For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.

or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with

liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

General references

and they said to Moses, “The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the Lord commanded us to perform.”

Honor the Lord from your wealth

And from the first of all your produce;