The Blessed Work Of Grace

 "Now, I want you to know about a gift of divine grace among the Churches of Macedonia.  While they were so afflicted and persecuted, their joy overflowed, and their extreme poverty turned into a wealth of generosity.  According to their means--even beyond their means--they wanted to share, in helping the saints.

They asked us for their favor, spontaneously, and with much insistence, and, far beyond anything we we expected, they put themselves at the disposal of the LORD, and of us by the will of GOD.  Accordingly, I urged Titus to complete, among you, this work of grace, since he began it with you.  You excel in everything: in the gifts of faith, speech and knowledge; you feel concern for every cause and, besides, you are first in my heart.  Excel, also, in this generous service.

This is not a command; I make known to you the determination of others, to check the sincerity of your fraternal concern.  You know well, the generosity of CHRIST JESUS, our LORD.  Although HE was rich, HE made HIMSELF poor, to make you rich, through HIS poverty." - 2 Corinthians 8:1-9 

(The saints are the Christians of Jerusalem.  In the year 48 there was a famine in Judea and in Jerusalem [Acts 11:28] due to the poor harvest of the previous year, a sabbatical year [during which the Jews did not sow so that the earth could rest].  To remedy this situation of shortage, economic aid for the Christians of Jerusalem was organized.  Later, Paul promised to keep the Jerusalem community in mind during his missions among the pagans [Galatians 2:10].  Here, Paul exhorts the Churches in Corinth and in the province to take up this collection that they had agreed upon.

Paul does not use the word collection in these chapters.  Instead he speaks of the liberality and the greatness of generous giving; of the blessed work of grace.  It is more a gift for the one who gives than for the one who receives.

Paul takes great care that the collection, involving large amounts, should be duly taken up.  It must be collected and held by people who enjoy the confidence of the community.)

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