Lesson 499

(Lesson 499)(12-28-12) 2 Corinthians 8:15-24, "As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack. But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind: Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you. Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof , of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf."

In this lesson, Paul explains to the the members of the Church at Corinth that he is sending Titus to bring those things that have been collected. He is also comforting them with the knowledge that Titus is a faithful and fruitful messenger of the gospel and that they should trust him completely.

This portion of Paul's letters to the Corinthians is the foundation upon which many local church groups base their belief in supporting evangelism in an effort to "preach the gospel". That belief can be scripturally verified, but only in part. Some of what the Corinthians and others collected was used by Paul and the other evangelists, however, most of the money collected from the Churches was used to help support the poor back in Jerusalem. Romans 15:26, "For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem." As we see here, the richer among us are to help support the poorest.

All of Christianity should pull together with one message in a concerted effort to spread the true gospel of Jesus Christ crucified and the eternal salvation it brings to those who will accept it.

If we all do this in faith and with a humble heart, our efforts will be rewarded a hundred times over. Mark 10:29-30, "And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life."~