For you became imitators, brothers and sisters, of God's churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, because you too suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they in fact did from the Jews,

so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.

The abundance

He said to them, "Go and eat delicacies and drink sweet drinks and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared. For this day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

and they began selling their property and possessions and distributing the proceeds to everyone, as anyone had need.

Their deep

And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, worth less than a penny.

Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box.

Listen, my dear brothers and sisters! Did not God choose the poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?

I know the distress you are suffering and your poverty (but you are rich). I also know the slander against you by those who call themselves Jews and really are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

The riches

as sorrowful, but always rejoicing, as poor, but making many rich, as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous on every occasion, which is producing through us thanksgiving to God,

However, there should not be any poor among you, for the Lord will surely bless you in the land that he is giving you as an inheritance,

A generous person will be enriched, and the one who provides water for others will himself be satisfied.

A fool will no longer be called honorable; a deceiver will no longer be called principled.

Liberality

For our reason for confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that with pure motives and sincerity which are from God -- not by human wisdom but by the grace of God -- we conducted ourselves in the world, and all the more toward you.

if it is exhortation, he must exhort; if it is contributing, he must do so with sincerity; if it is leadership, he must do so with diligence; if it is showing mercy, he must do so with cheerfulness.

General references

and told Moses, "The people are bringing much more than is needed for the completion of the work which the Lord commanded us to do!"

Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first fruits of all your crops;