Begging with Urging for the Favor of Sharing - Jonathan Lugo (2Corinthians 8:1-15, 9:12-15) [2Corinthians 8:1-15 NASB95] 1 Now, brethren, we [wish to] make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, [they gave] of their own accord, 4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, 5 and [this,] not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well. 7 But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, [see] that you abound in this gracious work also. 8 I am not speaking [this] as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. 10 I give [my] opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do [this,] but also to desire [to do it.] 11 But now finish doing it also, so that just as [there was] the readiness to desire it, so [there may be] also the completion of it by your ability. 12 For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what [a person] has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For [this] is not for the ease of others [and] for your affliction, but by way of equality-- 14 at this present time your abundance [being a supply] for their need, so that their abundance also may become [a supply] for your need, that there may be equality; 15 as it is written, "HE WHO [gathered] MUCH DID NOT HAVE TOO MUCH, AND HE WHO [gathered] LITTLE HAD NO LACK." [2Corinthians 9:12-15 NASB95] 12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. 13 Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for [your] obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, 14 while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!