Generosity Through Community

Commendation of Titus

But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have foryou. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to youof his own accord. With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all thechurches for his preaching of the gospel. And not only that, but he has been appointed bythe churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered byus, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. We take this course so thatno one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, for weaim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man. And withthem we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in manymatters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you. Asfor Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers,they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. So give proof before the churchesof your love and of our boasting about you to these men.

The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem

Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, for I knowyour readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaiahas been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. But I amsending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter,so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. Otherwise, if some Macedonians comewith me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead toyou and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as awilling gift, not as an exaction.