2 Corinthians 8:16-24

(2 Corinthians 8:16-24)

But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.  For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.  And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;  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:  Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:  Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. 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.  Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.  Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

『As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.』 These words are reminiscent of Exodus 16:18. This part tells the Israelites who were hungry for nothing to feed in the wilderness after the Exodus, that there was a supernatural work of God who gave manna from heaven. God gave manna and commanded him not to gather more than he needed per day. It was because God prepared and provided fresh food for that day the next morning. God provided fresh food to the Israelites every morning, not old food. The manna they gathered around the tent early in the morning was enough to eat. This was God's daily supply to the Israelites.

The amount of manna harvested will vary from person to person, but the number of families will vary from family to family, the Bible says, surprisingly that there was neither left nor short. Considering God's supply of fresh food in an exact amount that is neither left nor short on a daily basis, those who eat it should think carefully. In 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, the purpose of giving donations by the Saints in Macedonia and Corinth was to help the church in Jerusalem and to help the poor.

『But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality 』 Was in place.
Because the Corinthians' offerings to the poor Saints in Jerusalem in need is God's supply of fresh food to the Jerusalem Saints, Paul urged you to do it quickly.

『For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; 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』 In dealing with offerings, plural people worked together. Paul sent Titus, a man he could trust, to the church and accompanied him to accompany Titus, a man who was praised by all the churches, a man who was truly trustworthy. And Paul had another person to accompany them. This was a safeguard for two to overcome the dangers, mistakes, and temptations that one person could face while carrying a large offering. By letting them manage their offerings entirely, they could have the effect of blocking the allegations of Paul's offering exclusively that Paul's opponents might raise from the beginning.

When it comes to dealing with offerings, not only must you be proud before God, but you must also be proud of people in the world and society.『Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.』

 

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