Thematic Bible: In stimulating benevolent giving

Now we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God conferred on the churches of Macedonia: how in a great trial of affliction, their abundant chearfulness and their deep poverty, hath munificently shewn the riches of their bounty. For to their power, I bear them witness, yea and beyond their power, they contributed of their own accord: read more.
intreating us with much importunity, that we would convey the gift, and so take upon us a part of the ministration to the saints. And this they did not merely as we hoped, but first gave themselves unto the Lord, and to us by the will of God. Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had already begun, so he would also complete this grace among you. And as ye abound in every other grace, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, that ye may abound in this grace also. I speak not by way of command, but to prove the sincerity of your love also, by means of the forwardness of others.

Now concerning the relief intended for the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: for I know your readiness of mind, which I boast of concerning you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath excited many. But I have sent the brethren, that our boasting of you might not become vain in this respect, but that ye might be ready, as I had said: read more.
least if the Macedonians should come with me, and find you unprepared, we should be ashamed (not to say you also) in this confident boasting. Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go first to you, and before our coming to collect your bounty beforementioned, that it may be ready, as of munificence, and not of force.