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For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Christians are to give freely to support the church and to help other Christians in financial need.<\/p>\n The word translated \u201cpoor<\/span>\u201d in the current verse is the Greek word ptochous<\/em><\/span>, which refers to \u201csomeone in abject poverty, utter helplessness, or complete destitution.\u201d In other words, the Christians in Jerusalem to whom Paul was taking the money were not poor, as in unfortunate, they were without money.<\/p>\n Paul was going to travel to Jerusalem before heading to Rome on his way to Spain. The purpose of that trip was to take a contribution for the Christians in Jerusalem. The main church in Achaia (southern Greece) was the church at Corinth. To this church Paul sent a couple of letters teaching them to overcome some of the doctrinal errors that were creeping into their congregation. What they didn\u2019t need teaching about, though, was how to give willingly. Here\u2019s what Paul told them:<\/p>\n Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you; for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority. <\/span>(2Corinthians 9:1-2<\/strong><\/span>)<\/p>\n Paul also told these Corinthians about the generosity of the church in Macedonia (northern Greece):<\/p>\n Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their<\/em> <\/span>ability, yes, and beyond their<\/em> <\/span>ability, they were<\/em><\/span> freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.<\/span> (2Corinthians 8:1-4<\/strong><\/span>)<\/p>\n Both of these churches were eager to help the Church in Jerusalem and may even have been spurred on by Paul through a little friendly competition. These \u201cpoor\u201d Christians in Jerusalem were most likely Jews who had been converted through the preaching of the apostles in the days following the outpouring of the Spirit of God at Pentecost. But because most of the Jews in Jerusalem refused to believe, they persecuted members of the church, even beating and stoning them. In the beginning of the eighth chapter of the book of Acts, Luke recorded how Saul of Tarsus persecuted Christians. This Saul of Tarsus later became the Apostle Paul.<\/p>\n According to Acts 20:22<\/strong><\/span>, Paul felt bound by the Spirit of God to make this trip to Jerusalem. It\u2019s quite possible that his reason for wanting to minister to the saints in Jerusalem may also have been out a sense of guilt for what he had done to the Church in Jerusalem many years earlier.<\/p>\n God has gifted some saints with the ability to give generously and freely. Not all of us have that gift, but that doesn\u2019t release the rest of us from our responsibility to give. According to 2Corinthians 9:7<\/strong><\/span>, we are not to give grudgingly or out of necessity. God loves a cheerful giver! Do you give out of joy?<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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