Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” - Mark 12:43-44
Earlier in this series we learned that Paul took up a collection from the various Gentile churches he visited during his 3rd missionary journey. This money was to be given to the poor Christians in Jerusalem who had recently undergone a severe famine and were also suffering under heavy persecution from the Jews. Paul promoted this offering to the churches and received contributions from those throughout Galatia, Asia, Macedonia, and Achaia. For accountability purposes, he invited select members of these churches to return with him to Jerusalem to witness the giving of this collection to those who lived there.
This special missions offering is emphasized in 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9. Thus, as good Bible students we need to be somewhat familiar with this ministry endeavor in order to properly understand these passages. It is important for us to have the relevant background information and context when reading and studying Scripture.
I. THE MACEDONIAN EXAMPLE (2 Cor. 8:1-6)
Having expressed his joy over the Corinthian church’s repentance, Paul then turned his attention to another subject - the collection for the saints. He described how the churches in Macedonia had eagerly participated in the offering. Though they faced great affliction and were in deep poverty, still they joyfully and liberally contributed to it.
Paul stated that the churches of Macedonia, despite their meager resources, begged to participate in the missions offering for the saints in Jerusalem. They viewed the opportunity to give as a tremendous blessing and favor from God. Paul and his companions did not compel them to make an offering, but they did so voluntarily - of their own accord. Paul reported that their incredible generosity was not what he’d expected, and that they gave beyond their ability.
Paul explained that the Macedonian churches had first given themselves fully to the LORD. They had also submitted to Paul’s authority as an apostle and trusted him and his team to properly handle and deliver the funds that were collected. Even in their lack, the Macedonian churches believed that God would provide for all their needs (Philippians 4:19). Having this confidence, they readily and cheerfully gave of the monies they had.
II. FOLLOW THROUGH WITH GIVING (2 Cor. 8:7-15)
After citing the Macedonians as an example, Paul then spoke directly to the Corinthians. He rejoiced that they abounded in everything - in faith, in utterance, in knowledge, in earnestness, and in love. In like manner, Paul asked them to abound in generosity - specifically, their giving to the collection for the saints. Paul did not command them to do so, but rather presented the offering as an opportunity to prove their love for the LORD and for others.
Paul told the Corinthians how the Lord Jesus Christ left His riches in glory and became poor for their sake, so that they might be made rich through His poverty. Jesus had given everything for them; wasn’t it reasonable and appropriate that they give something to Him in return? Beloved, this is a question we should ask of all Christians - not just those in Corinth.
Paul added that, in his opinion, it would be advantageous for them to give, as such generosity evokes God’s blessing. He reminded them of their earlier desire to participate in the offering back when they’d first learned of it a year before. Now the time had come to actually “put their money where their mouth was” and follow through with their giving. Even so, Paul requested that they give an acceptable amount of what they had, not of what they didn’t have. He didn’t expect them to give beyond their means or ability.
This missions offering wasn’t to be perceived as something that punished the giver while rewarding the recipient. Rather it was an effort to promote equality. At that time, Paul explained, the Corinthian church had wealth in abundance - plenty to supply some of the needs of those in Jerusalem. Perhaps in the future, the roles would be reversed and the Jerusalem church could help the Corinthians. In order to illustrate his point about equality, Paul remembered how the Hebrew Children received equitable amounts of manna during the exodus, so that no one had too much and no one had too little (Exodus 16:18).
III. A TRIO OF MEN (2 Cor. 8:16-24)
Though Paul planned to personally visit Corinth after leaving Macedonia, he went ahead and sent a group of 3 men ahead of him in order to prepare the church for the upcoming missions offering that would be taken when he arrived. The first of these 3 men was Titus, who had himself just recently come from Corinth with news of their repentance. Titus had developed a warmth and fondness for the Corinthians and happily volunteered to return.
Paul did not provide the name of the second member of this team, but apparently his fame had spread throughout the churches. He had been appointed by the churches to travel with Paul in order to oversee the administration of the collection of the saints. He was selected and tasked with ensuring that the offering being received was handled in an honorable manner, both in the sight of God and man. Obviously, he was held in high regard by the churches.
Paul didn’t give the third team member's name either. That said, he was described as a diligent man who had been well-tested. In other words, he wasn’t a new and untested believer but rather an experienced and reliable Christian. Paul obviously had great confidence in him also.
Paul spoke highly of Titus and his 2 anonymous colleagues and asked the Corinthian church to lovingly welcome this trio of men when they showed up. He described them as messengers. It seems probable that they carried this letter - i.e., 2 Corinthians - with them to the church at Corinth.
CONCLUSION
As we draw today’s sermon to a close, let me elaborate on 2 points:
First, the missions offering that Paul collected serves as a prototype for missions giving today. We as Christian churches should cooperate and work together to fund needs beyond those of our own local church. We are commanded in Scripture to do so. Through mutual participation, sister churches can establish and support ministries regionally, nationally, and internationally. This is the basis of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program. Hundreds of SBC churches contribute to it, and the combined offerings are used in numerous ways to advance the kingdom of God. As the saying goes, we can do more together than we can separately.
Second, although the Macedonians gave generously and sacrificially, and are a wonderful example for all Christians and churches to follow, the greatest Giver of all is the Lord Jesus. Let me repeat what I said earlier, and as I do please reflect upon the magnitude of it - Jesus voluntarily left His immeasurable riches in heaven, came to the earth as a poor and lowly Man, and gave His life on Calvary so that sinners might be forgiven and receive salvation. Friends, in light of His incredible sacrifice for us, doesn’t it seem appropriate that we’d give our lives and our offerings freely to Him with gratitude and joy? Anything less seems, well, selfish and petty…
Earlier in this series we learned that Paul took up a collection from the various Gentile churches he visited during his 3rd missionary journey. This money was to be given to the poor Christians in Jerusalem who had recently undergone a severe famine and were also suffering under heavy persecution from the Jews. Paul promoted this offering to the churches and received contributions from those throughout Galatia, Asia, Macedonia, and Achaia. For accountability purposes, he invited select members of these churches to return with him to Jerusalem to witness the giving of this collection to those who lived there.
This special missions offering is emphasized in 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9. Thus, as good Bible students we need to be somewhat familiar with this ministry endeavor in order to properly understand these passages. It is important for us to have the relevant background information and context when reading and studying Scripture.
I. THE MACEDONIAN EXAMPLE (2 Cor. 8:1-6)
Having expressed his joy over the Corinthian church’s repentance, Paul then turned his attention to another subject - the collection for the saints. He described how the churches in Macedonia had eagerly participated in the offering. Though they faced great affliction and were in deep poverty, still they joyfully and liberally contributed to it.
Paul stated that the churches of Macedonia, despite their meager resources, begged to participate in the missions offering for the saints in Jerusalem. They viewed the opportunity to give as a tremendous blessing and favor from God. Paul and his companions did not compel them to make an offering, but they did so voluntarily - of their own accord. Paul reported that their incredible generosity was not what he’d expected, and that they gave beyond their ability.
Paul explained that the Macedonian churches had first given themselves fully to the LORD. They had also submitted to Paul’s authority as an apostle and trusted him and his team to properly handle and deliver the funds that were collected. Even in their lack, the Macedonian churches believed that God would provide for all their needs (Philippians 4:19). Having this confidence, they readily and cheerfully gave of the monies they had.
II. FOLLOW THROUGH WITH GIVING (2 Cor. 8:7-15)
After citing the Macedonians as an example, Paul then spoke directly to the Corinthians. He rejoiced that they abounded in everything - in faith, in utterance, in knowledge, in earnestness, and in love. In like manner, Paul asked them to abound in generosity - specifically, their giving to the collection for the saints. Paul did not command them to do so, but rather presented the offering as an opportunity to prove their love for the LORD and for others.
Paul told the Corinthians how the Lord Jesus Christ left His riches in glory and became poor for their sake, so that they might be made rich through His poverty. Jesus had given everything for them; wasn’t it reasonable and appropriate that they give something to Him in return? Beloved, this is a question we should ask of all Christians - not just those in Corinth.
Paul added that, in his opinion, it would be advantageous for them to give, as such generosity evokes God’s blessing. He reminded them of their earlier desire to participate in the offering back when they’d first learned of it a year before. Now the time had come to actually “put their money where their mouth was” and follow through with their giving. Even so, Paul requested that they give an acceptable amount of what they had, not of what they didn’t have. He didn’t expect them to give beyond their means or ability.
This missions offering wasn’t to be perceived as something that punished the giver while rewarding the recipient. Rather it was an effort to promote equality. At that time, Paul explained, the Corinthian church had wealth in abundance - plenty to supply some of the needs of those in Jerusalem. Perhaps in the future, the roles would be reversed and the Jerusalem church could help the Corinthians. In order to illustrate his point about equality, Paul remembered how the Hebrew Children received equitable amounts of manna during the exodus, so that no one had too much and no one had too little (Exodus 16:18).
III. A TRIO OF MEN (2 Cor. 8:16-24)
Though Paul planned to personally visit Corinth after leaving Macedonia, he went ahead and sent a group of 3 men ahead of him in order to prepare the church for the upcoming missions offering that would be taken when he arrived. The first of these 3 men was Titus, who had himself just recently come from Corinth with news of their repentance. Titus had developed a warmth and fondness for the Corinthians and happily volunteered to return.
Paul did not provide the name of the second member of this team, but apparently his fame had spread throughout the churches. He had been appointed by the churches to travel with Paul in order to oversee the administration of the collection of the saints. He was selected and tasked with ensuring that the offering being received was handled in an honorable manner, both in the sight of God and man. Obviously, he was held in high regard by the churches.
Paul didn’t give the third team member's name either. That said, he was described as a diligent man who had been well-tested. In other words, he wasn’t a new and untested believer but rather an experienced and reliable Christian. Paul obviously had great confidence in him also.
Paul spoke highly of Titus and his 2 anonymous colleagues and asked the Corinthian church to lovingly welcome this trio of men when they showed up. He described them as messengers. It seems probable that they carried this letter - i.e., 2 Corinthians - with them to the church at Corinth.
CONCLUSION
As we draw today’s sermon to a close, let me elaborate on 2 points:
First, the missions offering that Paul collected serves as a prototype for missions giving today. We as Christian churches should cooperate and work together to fund needs beyond those of our own local church. We are commanded in Scripture to do so. Through mutual participation, sister churches can establish and support ministries regionally, nationally, and internationally. This is the basis of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program. Hundreds of SBC churches contribute to it, and the combined offerings are used in numerous ways to advance the kingdom of God. As the saying goes, we can do more together than we can separately.
Second, although the Macedonians gave generously and sacrificially, and are a wonderful example for all Christians and churches to follow, the greatest Giver of all is the Lord Jesus. Let me repeat what I said earlier, and as I do please reflect upon the magnitude of it - Jesus voluntarily left His immeasurable riches in heaven, came to the earth as a poor and lowly Man, and gave His life on Calvary so that sinners might be forgiven and receive salvation. Friends, in light of His incredible sacrifice for us, doesn’t it seem appropriate that we’d give our lives and our offerings freely to Him with gratitude and joy? Anything less seems, well, selfish and petty…