Paul continues by addressing his audience as brothers and sisters. When I was a kid, the old pentecostal churches used to refer to each other in this manner. “And now Sister Sarah is going to play us a special on the piano.” It’s a warm way to greet our church friends. 

Paul reminds the Corinthians of the joy he saw despite crushing poverty of church in Macedonia, a region to the North of Greece, in southern Europe. Additionally, he praises their generosity, giving according to and beyond their means. He then compliments the Corinthians on their faith, speech, knowledge, earnestness and love. Using Titus as an example of service, he encourages them to also be financially generous. Asking for money then, as now is clearly a delicate subject. He is gently saying, you know stuff and talk well, now put your money where your mouth is and support our guy, Titus. 

Paul gives more examples of giving by reminding them of Jesus who sacrificed himself to give them everything. Now, Paul is asking the church at Corinth to reinvest their blessings into the gospel mission by sharing their material abundance. 

As first worlders, we are encouraged to spend our abundance on ourselves, to keep up appearances of wealth, when we should do the opposite, and use our resources for good. Paul references the time of Moses when the people received Manna, the sustenance from God. Those who gathered much had nothing left over, and those who gathered little had no shortage. There is a fairness of God, that is bigger than our hustle and grind. Joy is not found in hoarding, but in sharing with our siblings.