WE TAKE PAINS TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT

Passage: 2 Corinthians 8:16-24

Key verse: 21

NIV

Titus Sent to Receive the Collection

16 Thanks be to God,(A) who put into the heart(B) of Titus(C) the same concern I have for you. 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.(D) 18 And we are sending along with him the brother(E) who is praised by all the churches(F) for his service to the gospel.(G) 19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us(H) as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.(I) 20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.(J)

22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus,(K) he is my partner(L) and co-worker(M) among you; as for our brothers,(N) they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. 24 Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you,(O) so that the churches can see it.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Commendation of Titus

16 But (A)thanks be to God, (B)who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. 17 For (C)he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going[a] to you of his own accord. 18 With him we are sending[b] (D)the brother who is famous among (E)all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. 19 And not only that, but he has been (F)appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of (G)grace that is being ministered by us, (H)for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. 20 We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, 21 for (I)we aim at what is honorable (J)not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man. 22 And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is (K)my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers[c] of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24 So give proof before the churches of your love and of (L)our boasting about you to these men.

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Footnotes
  1. 2 Corinthians 8:17 Or he went
  2. 2 Corinthians 8:18 Or we sent; also verse 22
  3. 2 Corinthians 8:23 Greek apostles
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Titus (16-17)

Paul was sending Titus to Corinth. Titus was a young shepherd trained by Paul. He was no longer an intern shepherd; he was Paul's co-worker. He fully understood the importance of bringing this offering from the Gentile believers to the home church in Jerusalem, and he was eager that the believers in Corinth participate for the sake of their own spiritual growth and blessing. He had been involved in this work from the beginning. (6,1

)

2. To do right in the eyes of God and men (18-24)

Paul was careful in dealing with money. He sought to honor God and encourage fellow believers. Each participating church chose men to accompany Paul on his journey to Jerusalem. They would deliver the gift and report on God's work among the Gentiles. These men were the fruit of world mission. They were an honor to Christ. Paul was sending a highly respected co-worker to Corinth with Titus. Perhaps he was Luke or possibly Barnabas--the man who taught Paul the principle of giving (Ac 11:25-3

).

Prayer: Lord, help me to use money in a way that honors Christ and builds up people.

One Word: Honor Christ in the use of money