Why did Peter, James, and John tell Paul not to forget the poor in Jerusalem?
Peter, James, and John asked Paul to remember the poor saints in Jerusalem because those Jewish believers had sold their possessions expecting the Kingdom, but when Israel did not respond and the Kingdom did not come, their funds ran dry and they became poor. Offerings from Paul's Gentile converts would sustain them.
Les explains that the Jerusalem believers had gladly given up their material wealth expecting the Kingdom to come, but Israel did not respond and the Kingdom did not come. Their common fund ran dry, and they became poor. Because they had acted under good intentions, God would take care of them through the offerings Paul collected from his Gentile converts. So Peter, James, and John, recognizing Paul's coming ministry among the Gentiles could bring wealth, told him not to forget the poor Jews in Jerusalem. Paul replied that they never did forget them.