Generosity Commended
(Philippians 4:10–20)
Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the churches of Macedonia. Act 16:92Co 9:21Co 15:101Th 4:102Co 11:92Co 9:122Co 9:4Act 11:23 In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity. Jas 2:5Pro 11:252Co 6:10Deu 15:41Th 3:3-42Co 9:13Rev 2:9Luk 21:1-4 For I testify that they gave according to their ability and even beyond it. Of their own accord, Exo 35:29Exo 35:52Co 9:6-7Exo 35:21-22Phm 1:141Ch 29:91Co 16:21Co 9:17 they earnestly pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. Act 24:17Gal 6:102Co 9:1Heb 6:101Co 16:151Co 16:3-41Jn 3:16-182Co 9:12-14 And not only did they do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, because it was the will of God. Rom 12:1Rom 14:7-9Rom 6:132Ch 30:122Co 8:11Ch 12:181Sa 1:282Co 5:14-15
So we urged Titus to help complete your act of grace, just as he had started it. 2Co 12:182Co 8:16-172Co 8:192Co 8:41Pe 4:102Co 9:5Php 4:18 But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we inspired in you 1—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 2Co 9:82Pe 1:5-82Th 1:3Php 1:91Co 1:51Co 13:21Co 8:1-22Co 8:6 I am not making a demand, but I am testing the sincerity of your love in comparison to the earnestness of others. 1Co 7:61Jn 3:17-191Pe 1:222Co 9:7Heb 10:24Jas 2:14-16Eph 4:15Ezk 33:31
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. Rom 8:32Php 2:6-8Mat 20:28Rom 5:82Co 6:10Jhn 1:14Eph 2:7Jas 2:5 And this is my opinion about what is helpful for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give, but even to have such a desire. 1Ti 6:18-19Heb 13:162Co 9:2Jas 2:15-16Pro 19:171Co 7:251Co 16:21Co 7:40 Now finish the work, so that you may complete it just as eagerly as you began, according to your means. 2Co 9:2 For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. Mrk 12:42-442Co 9:7Exo 35:29Luk 21:1-4Exo 35:21-22Exo 25:2Exo 35:51Pe 4:10
It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality. Act 4:34Rom 15:26-27 At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. Then there will be equality. 2Co 9:12Act 4:34 As it is written: Exo 16:18Luk 22:35
“He who gathered much had no excess,
and he who gathered little had no shortfall.” 2
Titus Commended
(Titus 1:1–4)
But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you. Rev 17:17Jer 32:402Co 2:13-142Co 7:122Co 7:7Ezr 7:27Jer 31:31Php 2:20 For not only did he welcome our appeal, but he is eagerly coming to you of his own volition. 2Co 8:6Heb 13:222Co 8:102Co 8:8
Along with Titus we are sending the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in the gospel. 2Co 12:181Co 7:172Co 8:192Co 2:122Co 8:22-23Rom 16:4 More than that, this brother was chosen by the churches to accompany us with the offering 3—the gracious gift we administer to honor the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help. 1Co 16:3-42Co 4:152Co 9:81Pe 4:10-112Co 8:1-42Co 8:6-72Co 9:12-14Act 15:22
We hope to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift. 1Th 5:22Eph 5:15Rom 14:16Mat 10:161Co 16:32Co 11:12 For we are taking great care to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men. Rom 12:171Pe 2:12Php 4:8Tit 2:5-81Th 5:222Co 2:17Mat 5:16Mat 6:4
And we are sending along with them our brother whose earnestness has been proven many times and in many ways, and now even more so by his great confidence in you. Php 2:20-22 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you. As for our brothers, they are messengers 4of the churches, to the glory of Christ. Php 2:25Phm 1:172Co 8:63Jn 1:81Th 2:22Co 12:182Co 7:62Co 8:16 In full view of the churches, then, show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our boasting about you. 2Co 7:142Co 7:42Co 8:82Co 9:2-4