2 Corinthians 8:1

2 Corinthians 8:1 says, Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;  Paul said that even though he had great faith in the church at Corinth, he wanted to share with them what was going on in the church at Macedonia.  I don't believe he was attempting to make the Corinthians feel obligated to outdo those at Macedonia but was simply sharing what they were doing for spreading the gospel of Christ.  Verse two adds, How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.  Paul said that the church at Macedonia was suffering affliction and poverty, but that they were looking to help others.  We may feel that we are members of a small congregation with troubles of our own, but we should never stop looking for ways to help those Christians who are suffering even more than we are.  Verse three continues, For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;  Paul said they were willing to do more than was in their power to do.  When we act in faith, and not on what we see going on in the world around us, God will always provide for us in our liberality toward those less fortunate.  Paul did not say that God would make us materially rich if we helped those less fortunate.  I believe that as God enriches us He expects us to help others and not just ourselves.  Verse four states, Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.  Paul said that the church at Macedonia, though poor themselves, prayed that Paul would receive their gift so that they could be a part of the ministry to the saints.  Paul was pretty independent, but he allowed them to help other Christians.  Verse five adds, And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.  Paul said the Macedonians exceeded his expectations, and this was due to the fact that they first gave themselves completely to the will of God.  When we purpose to give to God, we should do so based on the power of God, not our own limited ability.  Verse six continues, Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.  Paul said that he hoped that Titus would be able to complete the work that he had started, I believe due to the generosity of the church at Macedonia.  This wasn't to enrich Titus but was to help in the ministry of Christ.  We should never ask churches to give to us, even if we are witnessing for Christ, so that we might be made richer.