Their Surplus Offset a Deficiency

THE year was 49 C.e.  Peter, James, and John-"who seemed to be pillars"-gave Paul and his fellow worker Barnabas a commission.  They were to keep impoverished Christians in mind as the preached to the nations. (Galatians 2:9, 10) How was this responsibility fulfilled?

Paul's letters reveal the attention that he gave to this matter. For example, to Christians in Corinth, he wrote:  "Concerning the collection that is for the holy ones, just as I gave orders to the congregations of Galatia, do that way also yourselves. Every first day of the week let each of you at his own house set something aside in store as he may he may be prospering, so that when I arrive collections will not take place then. But when I get there, whatever you men approve of by  letters these I shall send to carry your kind of gift to Jerusalem."- 1 CORINTHIANS 16:1-3. 

In his second inspired letter to the Corinthians, Paul restated the objective of the collection. It was "that means of an equalizing your surplus just now might offset their deficiency." - 2 CORINTHIANS 8:12-15.

When Paul wrote to the Christians n Rome about 56 C.E., the collection was almost complete. He said:  "I am about to journey to Jerusalem to minister to the holy ones.  For those in Macedonia and Achaia have pleased to share up their things by a contribution to the poor of the holy ones in Jerusalem." (Romans 15:25, 26) Paul fulfilled his commission shortly thereafter, for upon returning to Jerusalem and being arrested there, he told Roman Governor Felix: "I arrived to bring gifts of mercy to my nation, and offerings." - ACTS 24:17. 

The spirit shown by first-century Christians is clear from what Paul said of the Macedonians.  He stated that they "kept begging us with much money for the privilege of kindly giving." The apostle urged the Corinthians to follow that example.  He said:  "Let each one of you do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly  or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." What moved the congregations to show such generosity? The desire behind it was not solely  "to supply abundantly the wants of the holy ones but also to the rich with many expressions of thanks to God.  (2 Corinthians 8:4; 9:7, 12)  Our generosity may well have similar objectives. Jehovah God will surely bless such a fine and unselfish spirit-and his blessing indeed makes a person rich. - PROVERBS 10:22.

Next time: Their Surplus Offset a Deficiency - HOW SOME CONTRIBUTE TO THE WORLDWIDE WORK

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