8I am not giving a command, but I am testing the sincerity of your love through the earnestness of others.
9For 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.
10And 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.
11Now finish the work, so that you may complete it with the same eager desire, according to your means.
12For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
13It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality.
14At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. This way there will be equality.
15As it is written: “He who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall.”