The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem
A continuation, and some repetition, of chapter 8.
Do what you say you will do.
2 Corinthians 9:1-7 NLT
The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem
1 I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem. 2 For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving.
3 But I am sending these brothers to be sure you really are ready, as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you. 4 We would be embarrassed—not to mention your own embarrassment—if some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren’t ready after all I had told them! 5 So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly.
6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
Examine the scriptures:
2 Corinthians 9:1-7 NLT
The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem
1 I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem.
Repetition can be used to emphasize the importance of a point a person is trying to communicate.
Scripture frequently uses repetition.
Philippians 4:4 NIV
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Paul is repeating instructions from chapter 8.
2 Corinthians 8:11 NLT
11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have.
Go all the way back to 1 Corinthians 16:1-3
1 Corinthians 16:1-3 NLT
The Collection for Jerusalem
1 Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia. 2 On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once. 3 When I come, I will write letters of recommendation for the messengers you choose to deliver your gift to Jerusalem.
- Finish what you start.
2 For I know how eager you are to help,
and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving.
Philippians 2:4 NLT
4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
3 But I am sending these brothers
Titus and the two unnamed men sent by the church mentioned in the previous lesson. (8:18-24)
to be sure you really are ready,
Paul is sending some brothers to help the Corinthians fulfill their comments.
The confusion and lies spread by the false teachers had sidetracked the Corinthians.
Titus and his companions were sent to help the Corinthians get their financial house in order.
Proverbs 15:22 NLT
22 Plans go wrong for lack of advice;
many advisers bring success.
- Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.
- Be willing to accept advice from Godly individuals.
as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you.
4 We would be embarrassed—not to mention your own embarrassment—if some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren’t ready after all I had told them!
- It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it.
Proverbs 25:14 NLT
14 A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it
is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.
Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 NLT
4 When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him. 5 It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it.
- Don’t commit to something you can’t finish.
Luke 14:28-30 NLT
28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’
- Don’t commit to something until you count the cost.
It can be embarrassing to brag about someone’s ministry, only to find out that they are not doing all that they profess to be doing.
5 So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly.
6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.
Luke 6:38 NLT
38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”
Proverbs 11:25 NLT
25 The generous will prosper;
those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
- The one who plants generously will get a generous crop.
In case you need more motivation.
Matthew 25:34-40 NLT
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
- You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure.
- God loves a cheerful giver.
