Thematic Bible: In stimulating benevolent giving

We make known to you, brethren, God's gracious gift, which has been given in the churches of Macedonia; that under an afflicting trial, their overflowing joy, and their deep poverty, abounded to the riches of their liberality; for I testify that according to their power, and beyond their power, they gave voluntarily, read more.
beseeching us, with much entreaty, that they might give, and take part in the ministering to the saints; and they did this, not only as we had hoped, but they gave them selves first to the Lord, and then to us, through the will of God; so that we exhorted Titus, that, as he had previously begun, so he would bring to an end this gift among you also. Now as you excel in every thing, in faith, and in speech, and in knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love for us, see that you excel in this gift also. I do not speak this as a commandment, but on account of the zeal of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

For of the relief which is for the saints, it is needless for me to write to you. For I know your readiness of mind, on account of which I boasted of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago: and your zeal has incited very many. But I have sent the brethren, that our boasting of you in this respect may not be in vain; that you may be ready, as I said: read more.
lest, possibly, should the Macedonians come with me, and find you unprepared, we (not to say you) might be made ashamed by this same confident boasting. Therefore, I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go before to you, and make ready beforehand your bounty, which has been so much talked of before, that this might be ready as a bounty, and not as a gift extorted from you.