GRACE 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

And now brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord's people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 

we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches 
Acts 16:9  During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."

their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity 
Exodus 36:4-5  So all the skilled workers who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left what they were doing and said to Moses, "The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done."
2 Corinthians 9:11  Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.

For I testify that they gave as much as they were able 
1 Corinthians 16:2  On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service 
Acts 24:17  "After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings."

to the Lord's people 
Acts 9:13  "Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem."

They gave themselves first to the Lord 
2 Corinthians 12:9-10  But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. 
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