“Accountability”
“Accountability”
Blessings folk!
A recap of what we have seen so far related to “giving”…
- give yourself
- by the grace of God
- in abundance of joy
- overflowing in generosity
- according to our means
- beyond our means
- of our own accord
- in support of fellow believers/saints
- complete it
- excel
- it is an act of grace…grace from the Lord
- as the Lord leads
- readily
- with what we have, not what we do not have
- not a burden
- an ease
- supplying the need of others
- others fulfilling our need
- fairness…”as it is written”
The Spirit continues to give more insight through Paul’s writing to the Body in Corinth…
2 Co 8:16-24
But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you.
For he not only accepted our appeal,
but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord.
With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches
for his preaching of the gospel.
And not only that,
but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will.
We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift
that is being administered by us,
for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.
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.
As for 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 churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.
Paul was sending a group of men to receive their generous offering.
Did you notice why Paul took this course of action?
“…so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.”
Paul did not want there to be any opportunity to question what was done with the offering.
Everything would “be above board”.
He exhorted them to “give proof…of your love”.
There was accountability.
There was love.
There was proof of both.
Good principles, especially in giving.