¹⁰ They desired only that we should remember the poor, ^(A)the very thing which I also was eager to do.

¹⁷ “Now after many years ^(A)I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation,

¹⁷ But ^(A)whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

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

Excel in Giving

8 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: ² that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and ^(A)their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. ³ For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, ⁴ imploring us with much urgency ^[a]that we would receive the gift and ^(B)the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. ⁵ And not only as we had hoped, but they first ^(C)gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the ^(D)will of God. ⁶ So ^(E)we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. ⁷ But as ^(F)you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see ^(G)that you abound in this grace also.

Christ Our Pattern

^8 (H)I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. ⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, ^(I)that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become ^(J)rich.

^15 (A)If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ and ^(B)one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?

Collection for the Saints

16 Now concerning ^(A)the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: ^2 (B)On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

²⁵ But now ^(A)I am going to Jerusalem to ^[a]minister to the saints. ²⁶ For ^(B)it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. ²⁷ It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For ^(C)if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, ^(D)their duty is also to minister to them in material things.

²⁹ Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send ^(A)relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. ^30 (B)This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.