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Tuesday 21 June 2011

2 Corinthians 8:16-21 - Open and honest

A collection was being made from many churches for the Jerusalem church. In financial matters it is essential that things are done properly, and are seen to be done properly. One area of attack that the enemy will always make is in the area of money. He does this in various ways. One is through poverty. The church was countering this one here by collecting money for the Jerusalem church. Another is through individuals acting improperly, embezzling money, or acting wrongly in some other way. The third, and the one which is the focus of this section, is through false accusations. This latter attack is being countered by making sure things are done in a transparent and accountable manner. 
The church is often reluctant to talk about money, much more reluctant than the Bible is! Here we see first an openness to be honest about needs, and now adopting a sensible and orderly means of handling the money. 
Note also the person who was charged with overseeing the collection, Titus. Titus was a man of God who often worked with Paul on his missionary journeys. He was a man full of the Spirit. So, as with the "serving at tables" (Acts 6:1-7), we see that "practical jobs" are given to spirit-filled people. The whole of our lives, the whole of the churches life, is to be dedicated to Christ, and carried out in His power.

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