Tag: Needy

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The Mission offering.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

But before I come, I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers there. For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially. ‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭25‬-‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Follow the money! Paul mentions this collection of free-will offerings among the churches he started. Here in Romans, he mentions that he will be able to visit Rome and connect with the churches and believers.

Jerusalem was in horrible turmoil because of mass persecution and riots targeting Christians. As the hub of both Judaism and Christianity, it left many poor and hungry. The “mission” here was to encourage churches all over the Roman empire to give as they can to provide money for believers basic needs, namely food.

Paul has been bold in asking, and he has a real gift of encouraging people to be generous. Just the fact that he mentions these areas of Macedonia (modern-day Greece) and Achaia (southern Greece), is a way to let the believers in Rome know that some of the poorest of communities and also under persecution from their Jewish brothers, are already deeply committed to giving and have already sent their money in for the cause. This “leveraged” giving was also used to encourage believers in Corinth, a quiet wealthy city. Paul, himself a missionary, would not take money for his work, because he chose to make and repair tents to earn his personal and travel expenses. Paul did not want anyone to compare him to the common “itinerate” preachers “fleecing the flock,” just to make money.

One of the jobs of trusted, early church deacons, was to carry cash to Jerusalem. Giving is one of the greatest themes of the New Testament churches. Remember in Acts 2, the proof of the Holy Spirit moving in a church community was giving – ”And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.” They also “shared their meals with great joy and generosity” (Acts ‭2‬:‭44‬-‭46). This was the pattern that permeated the church and set a high bar of generosity for believers everywhere.

Still today, churches that are healthy and growing are generous in local causes, feeding the poor and helping the needy as well as distributing money for the gospel to be preached in all nations. And, also today, when there is an overwhelming need, either in the United States or anywhere in the world, churches come together to extravagantly give to support that cause. This is the ethos of true Christianity! We freely give because God has freely given to us. We can thank the Apostle Paul for this challenge and model of generosity.

Prayer

​Dad.
What a wonderful lesson on being generous. I believe in extravagant, radical giving because you did so for us! As you know, I did not learn this until I was in my forties, but have continued to exceed our giving each year since. I am grateful for mature believers as well as thriving churches who are generous. Thank for the encouragement and the challenge to not be able to out-give you!

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How to get the rich to give.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem. For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving. But I am sending these brothers to be sure you really are ready, as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you. ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Apostle Paul is genius in both motivational and inspirational writing to the New Testament churches. As he writes to Corinth, we need to remember just what kind of cultural values were common during that time. Point blank – Corinth was a wealthy city, filled with rich folk! It was a port city that had all the modern conveniences of its day. Goods and services from all over the world came through the city. As we read Paul’s letters, think of Corinth being similar to Newport Beach, California! Choices, options, entertainment, food and a hoppin night life surrounded by multi million dollar homes. Of course there were suburbs of great disparity, where the poor and middle class had to eke out a life, but the churches were a mixed bag of mostly Gentile converts. When Jerusalem was going through enormous persecution and believers were super poor, the leaders put out the call for money to be sent to Jerusalem to feed and cloth those who were suffering. Paul got an early commitment from the Corinth churches, but they had not yet made good on the promise.

Here in Paul’s second letter, he masterfully crafts just the right kind of positive pressure to help the churches keep their commitment. First Paul flatters their ego – I know how eager you are! Then he tells them how popular they among the other churches, even spurring the poorest of the poor churches in Macedonia to give! He’s comparing Corinth’s wealth to Macedonia’s extreme lack of resources. Telling the Corinthians they are a shining example of generosity for even those worse off than Jerusalem. Then, Paul gets a little bit Christian “mafia-ish.” He warns them, “I am sending the ‘brothers’”! Finally he assumes positive intent by saying, he knows that “the money is already collected.” And with one more dig… er… reminder he writes, I know you don’t want me to look bad! The money eventually was sent and Corinth’s generosity was appreciated.

I’m not saying it’s the best way to remind wealthy people or wealthy churches to be generous just as God was generous to every single one of us who follow Jesus – but it worked. 1. Honor and recognize the gift of wealthy people. 2. Remind them of their reputation as an example to others. 3. Assume positive intent and personally follow through, holding them to their good intentions. Does this sound like a good plan? It sure worked for Paul.

Prayer

​Dad,
Rich or poor or in between, you have set the standard for giving and generosity! Not only did you give it all, you also supply it all. And, it’s not only impossible to out give you, it is pure joy to know that beyond what I need is an ample supply of money, time and resources. This comes into my life specifically given TO me so that you can give THROUGH me. What a joy it is to be generous! Thank you for the lessons of faith, value and reciprocity. Amen.