Joel M Bradshaw

20We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, 21for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.–2 Corinthians 8

Paul and his team were collecting donations from all the churches he planted and sending them to Jerusalem. There had been a dire situation that needed relief and Paul had invited all the churches to give generously to help. In this chapter he spoke to the more affluent Corinthians of their less affluent brothers in Macedonia. The Macedonian churches couldn’t wait to give generously and so Paul encouraged the Corinthians to follow their example.

And Paul described how they would be handling the transport of the funds. We’ve all watched a telethon or have seen a person asking for money before. And if you’re like me you might have at times felt a little concerned about the situation. I once had a guy ask me for money for gas for his car. I didn’t feel right handing him a $20. I had a feeling he was going to buy alcohol rather than gas. So instead I offered to follow him to the nearest gas station and pay for a tank of gas. I remember him saying, “Can’t you just give me some money?” He stormed away from me cursing and angry.

Paul was taking great pains to let the churches know that they would handle all the funds in a manner that would be seen as honorable to both God and man. I’ve heard countless times from non-church people about ‘those TV preachers always asking for money’. And then some of those same preachers have new private jets or third houses. In the eyes of those friends of mine, they didn’t handle the money honorably.

All this should be convicting regarding finances. My wife and I take great care regarding having our taxes prepared by a professional. We want to do what is right every year. Regarding the way you handle money, do you do so in a way that not only honors God but would be seen by the surrounding world as not suspect? Do you act with honesty and integrity?

As Christians we don’t live lives for the approval of others, but rather to glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31). But Jesus still commanded us to let our light shine before all men so that they see our good works and glorify God (Matthew 5:16). God expects us to live in a way that others see and then glorify Him. This means we seek to do the right thing. And then we seek to do the next right thing. In our relationships we own what we can own and stay intentional about those right things.

The world may not approve of all of your decisions, but it shouldn’t be in a position to question your integrity or motives. Paul’s Roman world probably thought him a dunce for collecting money for a church in backwoods Jerusalem. But he was going to handle those funds the right way.–JMB