January 22, 2006
PROVIDING FOR HONEST THINGS
2 Corinthians 8:16-24

 

   "Avoiding this, that no one 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" (2 Cor. 8:20-21). Paul was collecting funds for the poor saints in Jerusalem from his Gentile churches (Gal. 2:10). This collection was years in the making and he was finally putting it all together and getting ready to make delivery. The church at Corinth had begun a year or so earlier. They had committed to participate but it was now time for action. Their promise was good, but their demonstration would be much better, even "the proof of [their] love" and give solid evidence for Paul's boasting about them to others in this regard.
   Perhaps the greatest example of giving by believers was in Acts 2, when "all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods...neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common" (Acts 2:44-45, 4:32). It staggers one's imagination to contemplate just how large a sum was administered by Peter and the apostles. Little wonder that they should appoint others to handle these funds so they could spend their time ministering the word of God. Notice that they were admonished to select "seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business" (6:3).
   It is likely that "this grace which is administered by us (the great sum collected)" even exceeded the collection of early Acts! And Paul took great pains to solicit honest spiritual men from each church to accompany their gifts and oversee its management and delivery.
   To Titus, who had participated in this collection, Paul added two unnamed men whose credentials for honesty and integrity were sterling. Such was his care in handling this gift. We cannot list the many ministries where failure to follow care in financial matters has led to shame, disgrace, and reproach. Surely Paul remembered Solomon's proverb, "my commands let thy heart keep... and find grace and good understanding in the eyes of God and man" (v. 3:4).

 

Ivan L. Burgener