47:008:002 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 47:008:003 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 47:008:004 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 47:008:005 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. 47:008:006 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. 47:008:007 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. 47:008:008 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 47:008:009 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 47:008:010 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. 47:008:011 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. 47:008:012 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. 47:008:013 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: 47:008:014 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 supply for your want: that there may be equality: 47:008:015 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack. 47:008:016 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. 47:008:017 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. 47:008:018 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; 47:008:019 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: 47:008:020 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: 47:008:021 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.