Acts 11:28
And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cæsar. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cæsar.
Through Agabus the Spirit signified that there should be great dearth throughout all the world, and it came to pass as a famine in Jerusalem. Those in Jerusalem were left with nothing and were suffering for lack of food. In response the disciples determined that every man according to his ability should send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. That relief was sent to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
The Christians in Macedonia who sent relief were themselves refugees who had been driven from Jerusalem after the death of Stephen. Scattered to different places including Macedonia, they had fled their homes and been brought into straits. Their lot was trial of affliction and deep poverty.
Though in deep poverty they first gave themselves to God, and then gave willingly and cheerfully beyond their power for the needy saints. They divided their scant stores of food and clothing to feed those suffering in Jerusalem, giving beyond expectation. Paul held this before the Corinthian brethren as a special call to liberality, with the Macedonian brethren as the pattern.