Off the Shelf Sunday School--2 Corinthians

Be Zealous to do Good Works (8:10-24)

And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.” I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men. In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason of our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.

1.    The Corinthian Christians had started a good work to raise money for Christians in need. Paul encourages them to complete this work. For some reason, they had not sent their support. What are some reasons that might have kept them from doing so? What are some reasons that keep Christians from consistently supporting the needs of poor Christians in other places? Why do Christians sometimes need to be encouraged and reminded about these needs?

2.    God desires that those who have more, should give to those in need. In this way, God’s blessings of food, wealth and other things are multiplied to everyone. Those who have more are doubly blessed, because they not only have an abundance, but they get to be gracious and merciful to those in need. In this way, they show their gratitude to God and copy his example of providing loving care. How do divisions, such as denominations, become barriers to this principle of giving? What are some other reasons why Christians are not more active in supporting poor Christians in other places?

3.    Paul is entrusting the money that has been raised, to be delivered by a group of men who have proven themselves to be dedicated and honorable. Christian leaders should be selected by their congregations, based on a proven history of zealous works and their integrity. They must adhere to the teachings of the Bible and have a group of men to whom they are accountable. Everyone is ultimately accountable to God. However, we all need to have Christians that we trust and who will pray for us and advise us. Do you have one or more friends like this? If not, you need to pray that God will provide this for you.