Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
2 Corinthians 8:24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
The collection that will be sent to Jerusalem will go a long way to help the brethren there. It was a blessed opportunity to exercise the stewardship entrusted of the Lord to them in Corinth. The Apostle Paul, their spiritual mentor, was at hand to guide them towards this grace of giving.
2 Corinthians 8:23 Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
Titus was the Apostle Paul’s co-labourer in the gospel work and the two unnamed men were men of integrity and reliable, selected messengers of the churches, for the glory of Christ. This was a commendable team assembled whom the Corinthian church may have the confidence to entrust the care of their stewardship in their hands.
As such, the task of ensuring the collection is safely delivered to the church in Jerusalem is duly considered and planned for to ensure success for the glory of Christ. Thank God for such care taken. Such detailed organising proves the heart of the Apostle Paul towards fulfilling God’s calling in the gospel work. This provides for us an example!
2 Corinthians 8:22 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.
Thank God for raising honest and diligent men for the work of the gospel. Although the Apostle Paul did not name this man, he was able to recommend him as a man of integrity and dependability. Moreover, he was one whom we notice served without having to be noticed. His contribution was invaluable. God rewards such faithful labour of His servants who for the honour and glory of God hazard their lives.
The journey, no doubt, is fraught with danger, knowing that a substantial sum is being entrusted to the care of these men. As mentioned, the two unknown men mentioned thus far have been men of repute in the sight of God and men and have volunteered their services for the gospel’s sake.
2 Corinthians 8:21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
If I take out my watch to find what time it is, it will be of little use for me to look at it unless I am sure that it keeps good time. If it sometimes stands still for an hour or more and then goes on again; if it sometimes loses two or three hours a day by going too slow, or gains as much more by going too fast, then I cannot depend on it.
A watch that cannot be depended on is of very little use. It may have a beautiful gold case, it may be sparkling with jewels, yet it will be of no service to me as a watch unless I can depend on what it tells me about the time. We do not judge of the value of a watch by the kind of case it has, but by finding out whether it keeps good time.
2 Corinthians 8:20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
The Apostle Paul ensured that there was a group of two or three and even more men assigned to oversee the collection and to the safe delivery of it to the church in Jerusalem. He was careful and cautious to prevent any potential mishandling. He understood the gravity of the matter for God’s glory.
The early church father, Ignatius, upon hearing a clock strike, used to say “Now I have one hour more to answer for.” He was acutely aware that he was accountable to God for every thought and action. It causes him to have this heightened sensitivity that his life brings honour and glory to God’s Name.
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 8:19 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:
This unnamed man was one who recommended of the churches in Macedonia, a man earnest and willing, to accompany the Apostle Paul and others to see to the safe delivery of the gift to the saints in Jerusalem. All for the glory of God. There was this careful handling of the collection so that it can safely reach the church in Jerusalem.
The Apostle Paul was thankful that the church is Corinth readily agreed to this collection when he prayerfully suggested it. And now, he wrote to see to the completion of the task.
2 Corinthians 8:18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;
There was an unnamed brother in Christ who went with Titus to the church in Corinth. He was a man of God, well-known, throughout all the churches. He was tasked by the Apostle Paul to accompany Titus so that the collection can be safely delivered to the saints in Jerusalem. This man will be entrusted with the task together with a third unnamed person in the team to bring the collection from the Corinthian church.
The Apostle Paul’s purpose for organizing this collection was to honour the Lord. [MacDonald]
As our Lord said in Matthew 25:40 … Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
Such was the exhortation in Proverbs 14:31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
2 Corinthians 8:17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.
When the walls of Jerusalem have to be re-built to protect the city, there was a concerted effort of volunteers by families for the building work.
Nehemiah 4:6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
Nehemiah may be described as a man who had a mind to work. And he motivated the people of God with that same mind to service in the vineyard of God, boldness in service unprecedented. The massive walls of Jerusalem were built in 52 days! It was a tremendous time of progress for God’s work when God’s people set their mind to work in a concerted effort. There was a great concentration of effort – the task at hand “Rebuilding the Broken Walls of Jerusalem”.
Piety and service are not compelled but voluntary. Titus was there at hand to carry the letter of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthian church. He was forthcoming in volunteering his service for this mission, although it was the Apostle Paul who entrusted Titus with the letter.
2 Corinthians 8:16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
The Apostle Paul was thankful to God that He has put into the heart of Titus a heart to care for the Corinthian Church. A heart that the Apostle Paul can identify with in his care for this church. He termed it as “the same earnest care”. The phrase “earnest care” is one word in Greek that means “diligence, hastiness, earnest”. There is vibrant energy of God’s love that is according to God’s laws and filled with God’s anointing presence. Both Paul and Titus were God’s instrument of care for His people.
2 Corinthians 8:15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
The Apostle Paul quotes Exodus 16:18 And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.
God provided manna to meet the shortage of food in the wilderness after Israel left Egypt.
God takes care of His people. All who trust in Him will find in Him their all-sufficiency. We can rest in the Lord’s care for us. The psalmist testifies in Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want. We shall have no lack who trust in our God.