“M.E.T.S. - Ministry to the Poor - ’The Characteristics of Genuine Generosity’"

2 Corinthians 8:1-9 (ESV)We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given amongthe churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joyand their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, oftheir own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of thesaints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord andthen by the will of God to us. 6 Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, sohe should complete among you this act of grace. 7 But as you excel in everything—infaith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that youexcel in this act of grace also.8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your lovealso is genuine. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he wasrich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.