Romans 15:26

¹Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia, ²how in a severe ordeal of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their generosity. ³For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord, ⁴begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints. ⁵This was not as we had expected, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God. ⁶So we urged Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace. ⁷But as you abound in everything—in faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in your love to us—see that you also abound in this grace.

⁸I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love. ⁹For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.

²⁷Now in these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. ²⁸One of them named Agabus stood up and indicated by the Spirit that there should be a great famine all over the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius. ²⁹As any of the disciples had plenty, each determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea; ³⁰which they also did, sending it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

²for I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to those of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for the past year. Your zeal has stirred up very many of them.

⁵Listen, my beloved brothers. Didn’t God choose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him? ⁶But you have dishonored the poor man. Don’t the rich oppress you and personally drag you before the courts?

¹²For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through much giving of thanks to God,

⁵hearing of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,

⁶But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches.

⁷Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. ⁸For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. ⁹Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season if we don’t give up. ¹⁰So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.

⁴⁰“The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,^[+] you did it to me.’

²¹He who despises his neighbor sins, but he who has pity on the poor is blessed.

⁷So I fed the flock to be slaughtered, especially the oppressed of the flock. I took for myself two staffs. The one I called “Favor” and the other I called “Union”, and I fed the flock.