2Cor 8:23 | KingComments | STEP | After all that Paul had said about giving there is yet an important question that needs an answer. That question is: Who are the ones who ensure that the money – which means all the money and not just a part of it – reaches the right destination? It is good that such ones are regarded for their trustworthiness. When you give money surely you will not be indifferent about whether it reaches its destination. The people who were entrusted to collect the gifts from the Corinthians and to take them to Jerusalem were introduced to them by Paul. He does this in order not to give the impression that he was seeking his own advantage. He also does this to ensure the Corinthians that their money will be handled with great care. This is a responsibility on his part which he gladly accepts. Checks and balances are essential, even today. In the church of God money is still collected, usually on the first day of the week ( ). The church has appointed brothers who must take responsibility for the money collected. They are called deacons. There is not just one brother but more than one. The risk of abuse is greater when money is in the hand of one brother than in the hands of two or three brothers. Things can happen unintentionally. For instance suppose that the brother who handles money alone needs some money at a certain moment for his private use but he is not able to draw from the bank because he has not enough money on his bank account. But he has in his hands the amount of the collection. Then he takes that amount – as loan of course, with the intention to pay it back. This is postponed due to some unforeseen circumstances. In the meantime he faces some financial problems. Sure you understand well that the brother who handles money alone can easily abuse the responsibility. Therefore each brother appointed to take this responsibility will appreciate doing it with other brothers and be controlled by one another. . Who are the people capable of doing this service? Three brothers are presented in this section. The first is Titus. Of him you learn the following: Titus was known to the believers in Corinth and felt related to them. In we read that Paul encouraged him to go to Corinth. Here we read that God put the concern into his heart and so he really did not need Paul’s encouragement. Paul underscores the fact that Titus was not an errand boy for him, as though he influenced him to do it. Titus did this on his own accord. So Paul cannot be accused that in a subtle way through Titus he sought his own advantage. . Then another brother is mentioned. Paul doesn’t mention his name but he mentions his qualities. From this we understand that a brother who is responsible for the believers’ money should be faithful and be someone of good reputation. Acts 6 and 1 Timothy 3 also speak about the qualities such brothers must possess ( ; ). Paul gives a good testimony about this brother in . He proved himself in the gospel. Everywhere he was known for his heart for the lost and the poor and for his desire to make known the grace of God to them. So in the church of God someone can be chosen to bring another kind of grace to meet another kind of misery. Again giving is called grace in . This grace was to meet the material needs of the believers in Jerusalem. This brother must however travel with Titus. . This should further make clear that Paul’s only concern in this ministry was the glory of God. That was Paul’s concern in whatever ministry he was occupied. This is what you too should remember in everything you do. That Titus takes this brother with him makes it clear that Paul takes all steps to prevent suspicion when he travels with so much money. . It is not only a matter of transparency before the Lord but also before people. He knew full well that God knew him through and through and that nothing can be hidden from Him. He lived accordingly. A transparent life before God helps in making right decisions. But there is more: you also have to do with people around you. Paul is not so arrogant to say: ‘I have got to do only with the Lord. The Lord knows how I am and further I have got nothing to do with anyone else.’ No, he is careful about what people could think of him. He did everything to be honest to all people. There are always people who could think bad and talk bad, but that may not stop you from doing all that you can to take from them all ground to accuse you of dishonesty. . A third brother is mentioned who is going with them to pick up the money. This was the brother whom the apostle has “often tested and found diligent in many things”. He proved his diligence in all kinds of tasks he was entrusted with. He was not a novice; he was not an inexperienced person who got this important order. Even today it is good that the one who would carry the financial responsibilities before believers proves that he can handle such a task. The certainty that this third person will be well received by the Corinthians further encouraged this brother to do his task. Any task becomes pleasant when people react positively. . Paul again mentions the three brothers whom he presented in the preceding verses and adds something more. With Titus, as a partner, he had a common share in the work among the Corinthians. The other two brothers – mentioned earlier in – come on behalf of the churches and receive the special title “a glory to Christ”. In this purely material service both these brothers radiate the glory of Christ. This expresses the great value of this service in the eyes of God. Can it then be difficult for the Corinthians to accept these three valuable brothers in a worthy way? They would confidently commit the saved money to these men. . Paul makes the other churches spectators of the Corinthians’ behavior. The other churches had already given much. Can the Corinthians be lagging behind in this regard? They must prove their love by their contribution. Their love must be perceptible. Further they should not put Paul to shame by their reception of the three brothers; for he had boasted about them to other churches. Imagine nothing of his boastings is proved true now! Paul was counting that the Corinthians would respond as he expected. Is this not applicable to you also? Now read 2 Corinthians 8:16-24 again. Reflection: What are the qualities a brother must have to be a deacon?

‏ 2 Corinthians 8:23

Deacons

After all that Paul had said about giving there is yet an important question that needs an answer. That question is: Who are the ones who ensure that the money – which means all the money and not just a part of it – reaches the right destination? It is good that such ones are regarded for their trustworthiness. When you give money surely you will not be indifferent about whether it reaches its destination.

The people who were entrusted to collect the gifts from the Corinthians and to take them to Jerusalem were introduced to them by Paul. He does this in order not to give the impression that he was seeking his own advantage. He also does this to ensure the Corinthians that their money will be handled with great care. This is a responsibility on his part which he gladly accepts. Checks and balances are essential, even today.

In the church of God money is still collected, usually on the first day of the week (1Cor 16:2). The church has appointed brothers who must take responsibility for the money collected. They are called deacons. There is not just one brother but more than one. The risk of abuse is greater when money is in the hand of one brother than in the hands of two or three brothers.

Things can happen unintentionally. For instance suppose that the brother who handles money alone needs some money at a certain moment for his private use but he is not able to draw from the bank because he has not enough money on his bank account. But he has in his hands the amount of the collection. Then he takes that amount – as loan of course, with the intention to pay it back. This is postponed due to some unforeseen circumstances. In the meantime he faces some financial problems. Sure you understand well that the brother who handles money alone can easily abuse the responsibility. Therefore each brother appointed to take this responsibility will appreciate doing it with other brothers and be controlled by one another.

2Cor 8:16-17. Who are the people capable of doing this service? Three brothers are presented in this section. The first is Titus. Of him you learn the following: Titus was known to the believers in Corinth and felt related to them. In 2Cor 8:6 we read that Paul encouraged him to go to Corinth. Here we read that God put the concern into his heart and so he really did not need Paul’s encouragement.

Paul underscores the fact that Titus was not an errand boy for him, as though he influenced him to do it. Titus did this on his own accord. So Paul cannot be accused that in a subtle way through Titus he sought his own advantage.

2Cor 8:18-19. Then another brother is mentioned. Paul doesn’t mention his name but he mentions his qualities. From this we understand that a brother who is responsible for the believers’ money should be faithful and be someone of good reputation. Acts 6 and 1 Timothy 3 also speak about the qualities such brothers must possess (Acts 6:3; 1Tim 3:8-13).

Paul gives a good testimony about this brother in 2Cor 8:18. He proved himself in the gospel. Everywhere he was known for his heart for the lost and the poor and for his desire to make known the grace of God to them. So in the church of God someone can be chosen to bring another kind of grace to meet another kind of misery. Again giving is called grace in 2Cor 8:19. This grace was to meet the material needs of the believers in Jerusalem. This brother must however travel with Titus.

2Cor 8:20. This should further make clear that Paul’s only concern in this ministry was the glory of God. That was Paul’s concern in whatever ministry he was occupied. This is what you too should remember in everything you do. That Titus takes this brother with him makes it clear that Paul takes all steps to prevent suspicion when he travels with so much money.

2Cor 8:21. It is not only a matter of transparency before the Lord but also before people. He knew full well that God knew him through and through and that nothing can be hidden from Him. He lived accordingly.

A transparent life before God helps in making right decisions. But there is more: you also have to do with people around you. Paul is not so arrogant to say: ‘I have got to do only with the Lord. The Lord knows how I am and further I have got nothing to do with anyone else.’ No, he is careful about what people could think of him. He did everything to be honest to all people. There are always people who could think bad and talk bad, but that may not stop you from doing all that you can to take from them all ground to accuse you of dishonesty.

2Cor 8:22. A third brother is mentioned who is going with them to pick up the money. This was the brother whom the apostle has “often tested and found diligent in many things”. He proved his diligence in all kinds of tasks he was entrusted with. He was not a novice; he was not an inexperienced person who got this important order. Even today it is good that the one who would carry the financial responsibilities before believers proves that he can handle such a task. The certainty that this third person will be well received by the Corinthians further encouraged this brother to do his task. Any task becomes pleasant when people react positively.

2Cor 8:23. Paul again mentions the three brothers whom he presented in the preceding verses and adds something more. With Titus, as a partner, he had a common share in the work among the Corinthians. The other two brothers – mentioned earlier in 2Cor 8:18 ; 22 – come on behalf of the churches and receive the special title “a glory to Christ”. In this purely material service both these brothers radiate the glory of Christ. This expresses the great value of this service in the eyes of God. Can it then be difficult for the Corinthians to accept these three valuable brothers in a worthy way? They would confidently commit the saved money to these men.

2Cor 8:24. Paul makes the other churches spectators of the Corinthians’ behavior. The other churches had already given much. Can the Corinthians be lagging behind in this regard? They must prove their love by their contribution. Their love must be perceptible. Further they should not put Paul to shame by their reception of the three brothers; for he had boasted about them to other churches. Imagine nothing of his boastings is proved true now! Paul was counting that the Corinthians would respond as he expected. Is this not applicable to you also?

Now read 2 Corinthians 8:16-24 again.

Reflection: What are the qualities a brother must have to be a deacon?