Thematic Bible: In stimulating benevolent giving
Thematic Bible
Tact » Paul » In stimulating benevolent giving
Now I am going to tell you, brothers, of God's spiritual blessing which was given in the churches of Macedonia, because in spite of a terrible test of trouble, the mighty flood of their gladness mingling with the depths of their poverty has overflowed and resulted in the abundance of their liberality. For they have given, I can testify, to the utmost of their ability, and even beyond their ability. Of their own accord, read more.
with earnest entreaty, they kept on begging me for the favor of sharing in this service that is being rendered to God's people. They did not do as I expected but even more; they first by God's will gave themselves to the Lord, and then to me; so that I insisted that Titus, as he had formerly commenced it, should bring to completion this gracious contribution among you too. Yes, just as you are growing rich in everything else, in faith, expression, knowledge, perfect enthusiasm, and the love inspired in you by us, you must see to it that you grow rich in this gracious contribution too. I am not saying this in the spirit of a command, but I am simply trying to test the genuineness of your love by the enthusiasm of others.
with earnest entreaty, they kept on begging me for the favor of sharing in this service that is being rendered to God's people. They did not do as I expected but even more; they first by God's will gave themselves to the Lord, and then to me; so that I insisted that Titus, as he had formerly commenced it, should bring to completion this gracious contribution among you too. Yes, just as you are growing rich in everything else, in faith, expression, knowledge, perfect enthusiasm, and the love inspired in you by us, you must see to it that you grow rich in this gracious contribution too. I am not saying this in the spirit of a command, but I am simply trying to test the genuineness of your love by the enthusiasm of others.
It is really superfluous for me to write to you about this service which is being rendered to God's people, for I know your readiness to help in it. I am boasting of you about it to the Macedonians, reminding them that Greece has been ready since last year, and your enthusiasm has stimulated the most of them. But I send the brothers that in this matter my boasting of you may not turn out to be an idle boasting, that you all may be ready, as I have told them you will be, read more.
to keep me -- not to mention you -- from being humiliated for having such confidence in you, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready. So I have thought it necessary to urge these brothers to visit you ahead of me and get your promised love-offering ready beforehand, so as to have it ready as a real love-offering, not as one grasped and grudgingly given.
to keep me -- not to mention you -- from being humiliated for having such confidence in you, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready. So I have thought it necessary to urge these brothers to visit you ahead of me and get your promised love-offering ready beforehand, so as to have it ready as a real love-offering, not as one grasped and grudgingly given.