II Corinthians 8:1-5 (23rd Saturday after Pentecost)
BRETHREN, we want you
to know about the grace of God which has been shown in the
churches of Macedo'nia,
for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their
extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of liberality on their
part.
For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond
their means, of their own free will,
begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of
the saints --
and this, not as we expected, but first they gave themselves to the
Lord and to us by the will of God.
