Good morning! Today, we will conclude our reading in 2 Corinthians chapter eight with Apostle Paul sharing more information about Titus and the other companions that he will journey with.
Bible Verse – 2 Corinthians 8:16-24 NLT
“16 But thank God! He has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I have. 17 Titus welcomed our request that he visit you again. In fact, he himself was very eager to go and see you. 18 We are also sending another brother with Titus. All the churches praise him as a preacher of the Good News. 19 He was appointed by the churches to accompany us as we take the offering to Jerusalem[e]—a service that glorifies the Lord and shows our eagerness to help.
20 We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift. 21 We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.
22 We are also sending with them another of our brothers who has proven himself many times and has shown on many occasions how eager he is. He is now even more enthusiastic because of his great confidence in you. 23 If anyone asks about Titus, say that he is my partner who works with me to help you. And the brothers with him have been sent by the churches,[f] and they bring honor to Christ. 24 So show them your love, and prove to all the churches that our boasting about you is justified.”
Reflection
Paul and Titus were genuinely concerned about the people they served. Titus willingly assisted Paul with the project to collect funds and brought other respected partners from the Macedonian church to accompany him and take the gifts to the church in Jerusalem. Paul’s only motivation to organize the group was to honor the Lord and avoid bringing disrepute through charges of mismanagement of funds. Titus and the other three representatives had a zeal for the work and they understood the importance of their assignment.
Sisters and brothers, there are many points to chapter eight but I will only call out a few.
- The Corinthian church desired to help other churches and sent funds to Jerusalem.
- They were the first church to do it and other churches followed their example.
- Paul reminded them of the significance of their gifts and asked that they continue what they started.
- Paul, Titus, and the other three representatives were zealous about the opportunity to be used by the Lord. To help secure donations and ensure the funds were taken to Jerusalem to support the larger church and community needs. The goal was also to ensure those funds were not mismanaged and reduce/eliminate accusations that they were.
Our communities and people will always have a need. Our local churches should and do help with those needs. Sometimes it’s through supporting families having financial hardships. Other times it is helping with funerals, expanding campuses to allow room for more people to come to know Christ. There are activities at no or low cost to bring believers together, and so much more.
Also, I would be remiss if I failed to thank all those who have helped/supported this ministry in so many ways.
Continue to pray about how the Lord can use you and/or your finances to help the church, local missions, missions abroad, the widow, the orphan, etc.
Prayer
Father God, thank you for your love toward us. Thank you for sending your son Jesus to save us. Lord, your word and promises never return void. Your peace, provision, mercy, and grace sustains us and we don’t take it for granted. Lord, continue to work in our hearts and heal any brokenness and anger that we may have. Lord, guide us through the day and help us to keep our eyes steady on you.
Lord, be with the woman who is having surgery today. Help her to heal and fully recover. Lord, bless her family and give them peace and assurance that you hear them. Lord, we pray for those preparing for surgery. Lord, we ask that you give them strength and comfort them as they wait. Lord, we pray for protection over children today. Lord, you know there are wicked people in this world and our children need you to protect them from harm, danger, and malicious acts. Lord, cover them. Lord, we pray for our homes and families. Lord, protect us. Lord, sustain our minds. Lord, help those in financial distress. Lord, continue to work in marriages. Give peace of mind to employees working in stressful conditions. Open opportunities for those who are seeking employment. Continue to transform us. In Jesus name, amen!
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