Christian Stewardship

MOREOVER , brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God 

bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

How that in a great trial of afflictionthe abundance

of their joyy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

For their power, I bear record , yea,

and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

Praying us with much intreaty that we would

receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship

of the ministering to the saints.

And this they did, not as we hoped,

but first, gave their own selves to the Lord,

and unto us by the will of God.

Insomuch that we desired Titus,

that as he had begun,

so he would also finish in you the  same

grace also.

Therefore , as ye abound in every thing,

in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, 

and in all diligence, and in your

love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

I speak not by commandment ,

but by occasion of the forwardness of others,

and to prove the sincerity of your love.

For ye know the grace of our Lord

Jesus Christ, that , though he  was rich,

yet for your sakes he became poor,

that ye trough his poverty might be rich.

And herein I give my advice:

for this is expedient for you,

who have begun before,

not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

Now therefore perform the doing of it;

that as there was a readiness to will,

so there may be a performance also out of that 

which ye have.

For if there be first a willing mind,

it is accepted according to that a man hath,

and not according to that he hath not.

For I mean not that other men be

eased, and ye burdened:

But by an equality, that now at this

time your abundance may be a supply for their want,

that their abundance also may be a suply for your want:

that there may be equality:

As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing

over, and he that had gathered little had no lack.

But thanks be to God, which put the

same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

For indeed he accepted the exhortation;

but being more forward,

of his own accord he went unto you.

And we have sent with him the brother,

whose praise is in the gospel

throughout all the churches;

And not that only, but who was also

chosen of the churches to travel with us 

with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory

of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in 

this abundance which is administered by us:

Providing for honest things, 

not only in the sight of the Lord,

but also in the sight of men.

And we have sent with then our  brother,

whom we have oftentimes

proved diligent in many things,

but now much more diligent,

upon the  great confidence which I have in you.

Whether any do inquire of Titus,

he is my partner and fellowhelper concering you:

or our brethren be inquired of,

they are the messengers of the churches,

and the glory of Christ.

Wherefore shew ye to them, 

and before the churches, 

the proof of your love,

and of our boasting on your behalf.

FOR as touching the ministering to the 

saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

For i know the forwardness of your mind,

for which I boast of you to them of  Macedonia,

that A-chai'a was ready a year ago;

and your zeal hath provoked very man.

Yet have I sent the brethren,

lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf;

that , as I said, ye may be ready:

Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you

unprepared, we ( that we say not, ye) should be ashamed

in this same confident boasting.

Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren,

that they would go before unto you ,

and make up beforehand your bounty,

whereof ye had notice before,

that the same might be ready, 

as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly;

and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart,

so let him give;

not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

And God is able to make all grace abound

toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all

things, may abound to every good work:

(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad;

he hath given to the poor:

his righteousness remaineth for ever.

Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both 

minister bread for your food,

and multiply your seed soen, and increase the fruits

of your righteousness;)

Being enriched in every thing to all 

bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

For the administration of this service not only

supplieth the want of the saints,

but is abundant also by many thanksgiving unto God;

Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify

God for your professed subjection unto

the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal

distribution unto them,

and unto all men;

And by their prayer for you, which long after you for 

the exceeding grace of God in you.

Thanks be unto God for this unspeakable gift.