Paul the apostle has been
writing about his time in Jerusalem with the leadership within the
church as he told them of his ventures among the Gentiles. Paul has
been given a commission by God to reach the Gentile nations with the
gospel of Jesus Christ, and although this was unusual in the minds of
the Jewish believers, when they heard of the grace of God coming to
the Gentiles through Paul they could not resist. They agreed that he
and Barnabas were to reach the Gentiles, and they extended to them
the right hands of fellowship to symbolize their agreement. In
chapter two and verse ten the leadership at Jerusalem add one more
reminder to Paul. Paul wrote:
Only [they would] that
we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
Paul and
Barnabas' commission had been given to go to the “heathen”
nations, and after the symbol of the right hands of fellowship which
meant blessing and acceptance, the leadership added, “Only they
would that we should remember the poor;”There is something
beneficial to adding the practical aspects of ministry to the
workings that are spiritual. There are poor people in the world, and
Paul and Barnabas would certainly encounter them as they made their
travels among the Gentiles as well. When a comment was made about
wasting precious ointment to anoint Jesus' feet, He said, “The
poor you will have with you always”, and thus it has been, and
thus it shall be. However there were poor people within Judea as
well, and as Paul shared among the Gentiles he often gathered from
the Gentile nations to give to the church at Jerusalem which quite
possibly could be a part of the request made by the leadership there.
In other words, Paul and Barnabas, while you are preaching among the
Gentiles, be sure to receive an offering for the poor within
Jerusalem as well.
Paul
concurred with the leadership as he wrote: “the same which I
also was forward to do.” Paul said he was ready to exert
himself in this area and give diligence to helping the poor among
them. Again, practical application is a necessary part of the sharing
of the gospel. Paul wrote about this idea in the book of Romans in
chapter fifteen and verse twenty seven:
It has pleased them
verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been
made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to
minister unto them in carnal things.
The
Gentiles would benefit spiritually by Paul's teaching, and therefore
care for the poor in natural things should be an easy response. Those
who are affected by the gospel spiritually naturally understand that
participation in the practical things is not only necessary but
essential, especially when it comes to the poor.
How
long has it been since we have considered the poor? Have we partaken
of the spiritual things and maybe even promoted them and yet not
considered the poor at all? Have we been so spiritually minded that
the practical mind never considers others who are disadvantaged at
all? As we ponder these things, may we all hear the reminder of the
leadership within the church of Jerusalem, “remember the
poor”, and thus we will
fulfill the great commission in both spiritual and practical ways as
we do.
Next
time will look at the agreement made in Jerusalem, so read ahead, and
let us join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look for
the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to
Generation” in all major
bookstore
sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to
e-books, and find it
locally
at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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