¹⁰ All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor,^(A) the very thing I had been eager to do all along.

¹⁷ “After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor^(A) and to present offerings.

¹⁷ If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them,^(A) how can the love of God be in that person?^(B)

¹⁶ And do not forget to do good and to share with others,^(A) for with such sacrifices^(B) God is pleased.

The Collection for the Lord’s People

8 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian^(A) churches. ² In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.^{(B) 3} For I testify that they gave as much as they were able,^(C) and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, ⁴ they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing^(D) in this service^(E) to the Lord’s people.^{(F) 5} And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. ⁶ So we urged^(G) Titus,^(H) just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion^(I) this act of grace on your part. ⁷ But since you excel in everything^(J)—in faith, in speech, in knowledge,^(K) in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you^[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

⁸ I am not commanding you,^(L) but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. ⁹ For you know the grace^(M) of our Lord Jesus Christ,^(N) that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor,^(O) so that you through his poverty might become rich.^(P)

¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.^{(A) 16} If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?^(B)

The Collection for the Lord’s People

16 Now about the collection^(A) for the Lord’s people:^(B) Do what I told the Galatian^(C) churches to do. ² On the first day of every week,^(D) each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.^(E)

²⁵ Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem^(A) in the service^(B) of the Lord’s people^(C) there. ²⁶ For Macedonia^(D) and Achaia^(E) were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem.^{(F) 27} They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.^(G)

²⁹ The disciples,^(A) as each one was able, decided to provide help^(B) for the brothers and sisters^(C) living in Judea. ³⁰ This they did, sending their gift to the elders^(D) by Barnabas^(E) and Saul.^(F)