Appointed

2 CORINTHIANS 8:16-24

2 Corinthians 8:19 ESV

19 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.

IN THIS SCRIPTURE PAUL IS RALLYING SUPPORT FOR THE CHRISTIANS IN JERSULEM. HE IS DOING THIS WHILE HE IS IN MACEDONIA. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT HE HAS DONE SO THE FIRST TIME HE DOES THIS HE IS INSTRUCTING THEM TO PERFORM A WEEKLY OFFERING THIS TOME HE IS ENCOURAGING A MORE SACRIFICIAL OFFERING EVEN IN THEIR AFFLICTION.

ILLUSTRATION - Perhaps you’ve heard about the old miser who called his doctor, lawyer, and minister to his deathbed. “They say that you can’t take it with you,” said the dying man, “but I’m going to. I have three envelopes with $100,000 in cash in each one. I want each of you to take an envelope, and just before they close the casket, I want each of you to slip your envelope into my casket.” They all promised to do so. And at the end of the funeral they did it! On the way home, the conscience-stricken doctor confided, “I’m building a clinic, so I took $50,000 and put the rest in the coffin.” Then the lawyer confessed, “I kept $75,000 for a legal defense fund and put $25,000 in.” At this, the preacher said, “Gentlemen, I’m ashamed of you. I put in a check for the full amount!” Ah yes, ministerial integrity.

In the spirit of this, my son Carey and his high school friends were talking about how much their dads made, and Carey said, “My dad beats yours. All he does is get up and say a few words and offer a prayer, and it takes eight people to carry the money away!” Actually, as you know, money and ministry is a very serious matter. I once was approached by a friend who pastored a small church. He shared privately that his meager salary was inadequate and that he could not continue in the ministry without financial help. I wrote him a personal check for $2,000—only to learn later that he had scammed at least $50,000 from others with the same story. You’ve never really been taken until you’ve been taken by a “brother”—and a minister, to boot! Some preachers pay more attention to the fleece than to the flock. (R Kent Hughes 2 Corinthians: Power in Weakness Preaching the Word))

1- THE UNKNOWN BROTHER

2 Corinthians 8:16–19 ESV

16 But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. 17 For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. 18 With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. 19 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.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE CHARITER OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHEN IT COMES TO THE DECLARING THE GIFTS THAT SOME SHOULD GIVE.

2- THE DESIRE TO BE HONORABLE

2 Corinthians 8:20–21 ESV

20 We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, 21 for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.

ILLUSTRATION of a good name - At the end of World War I, Herbert Hoover, later to become President of the United States, led the allied relief efforts in Europe. He kept hundreds of thousands from starving, and a new word entered the Finnish language. In Finland, to "hoover" means "to be kind, to help." If someone coined a word from your name, what would it be? Would it signify character, helpfulness, or cheerfulness, or would it be some mean and ugly word? Beloved, God wants us to focus on having a good name more than great wealth. He wants us to live above the boards. How do we do this?

1 Corinthians 14:40 ESV

40 But all things should be done decently and in order.

PAUL WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING HE WAS DOING COULD NOT BE MISCONSTRUED.

3- SHOW YOUR LOVE BY SUPPORT

2 Corinthians 8:22–24 ESV

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 my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24 So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.