God Thoughts February 17th

God Thoughts February 17

Memorize: I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. Philemon 4,5

Read  Romans 15:23-33. The Greek word koinonia-fellowship is in these verses what word is it in English?

For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia[m] have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. Verse 26 NLT

They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.”

Paul in Romans 15 has expressed his preference for the future (Spain) but his priority in the present is to serve the saints and provide for the poor. Incidentally, this would have taken him 1,000 miles in the opposite direction, making this his fifth journey to Jerusalem. The word for “service” is fascinating. It’s the picture of a servant doing menial and mundane tasks, something the Greeks regarded as degrading and dishonorable. Not so for Paul as he was simply following in the footsteps of our Savior who came to serve and not be served.

The Jewish-background believers were facing persecution for their faith and many had lost their jobs and even their homes. On top of this, many were experiencing abject poverty due to a famine in the land. The Gentile-background believers from Macedonia and Achaia responded generously to help meet this need. Let me make four observations.

• They gave joyfully. It says that they were “pleased” to do so in verse 26 and again in verse 27. This literally means that they freely decided and took great pleasure in giving. This is echoed in 2 Corinthians 9:7: “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

• They gave in order to discharge a debt. While their giving was filled with great joy they also gave a way to show that they were indebted to the Jews in Jerusalem for passing along God’s truth to them. We see this in verse 27: “They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.” The principle here is to provide a material blessing where you are receiving spiritual blessings.

• They contributed because of what they had in common. It’s very interesting that the word contribution here is the word koinonia, which some of you will recognize as the Greek word for fellowship. This literally means, “To share in common.” They were doing more than just giving money; they were exhibiting what fellowship really is – the sharing of lives. Paul is all about propagating the gospel but he also wants to equip the churches by helping them grow in unity. It’s time for the Gentile Believers to care for the Jewish Believers.  This reveals his heart both for unity among believers from different ethnic, linguistic and cultural backgrounds, as well as his passion to help those in poverty.

Caring for the poor is a sign of a healthy Koinonia.

Prayer:  Father, as I enjoy your blessings today.  If there is anyone wondering, that is hungry, homeless or helpless may I share Your love with them.  Amen