II Corinthians 7-8  Paul rejoiced when he was told by Titus that the church in Corinth had obeyed Paul's exhortations in the previous letter, demonstrating "godly sorrow" with great "earnestness". 

Now, Paul exhorts them to also abound in gracious giving.  "But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in the gracious work also." ( 8:7)

Earnestness - serious, intense, sincere, determined ( dictionary);   - the Greek word is spoude - from speed - to despatch, eagerness, carefulness, diligence, forwardness, haste.

Paul uses this word 5 more times in these 2 chapters - an important characteristic; but a word we do not use very much..

7:11 " For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow has produced in you; what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter." 

7:12 "So though I wrote to you it was not for the sake of the offender... but that your earnestness on our behalf might be made known to you in the sight of God." 

8:7 ( quoted above)

8:8 ".... but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also." 

8:16-17 " But thanks be to God who puts the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart of Titus. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest... "

So, we can draw some thoughts about earnestness from these verses:

Godly sorrow- sorrow brought by "the will of God" and produces "repentance without regret, leading to salvation" - produces earnestness.
It is in these kinds of situations that our earnestness is manifest - made known - to ourselves!
Abounding in all earnestness is as important as abounding in "gracious work".
Earnestness proves the "sincerity" of love.
Earnestness unites believers together as God places this zeal in our hearts for each other.

Do we.. do I have an eager determination, a zeal, a sincere desire to live for Christ? Is there a godly earnestness in my relationships?  In my gracious works?  Am I sincere in my love for Christ and for others? Am I diligent to do everything for the glory of the Lord?

Or  must God bring sorrow to me according to His will - leading me to repentance?

Father in heaven,  may Your Name be hallowed and honored among the nations and in all the earth!  May Your kingdom come and Your will be done.  Refine and purify us, Lord God, that we might abound in faith and in earnestness and in love, to the glory of Your Holy Name.  We ask this in Christ Jesus, amen.