Why did God provide for the destitute Jerusalem believers through Gentile offerings?
God provided through Gentile offerings because the Jerusalem believers had pooled all their resources since Pentecost, the common fund ran out, and they became destitute. Their destitution resulted from obedience to the Word of God, so God cared for them through offerings from Gentile believers, who owed the Jews material gifts for spiritual things.
Les explains that the little churches founded in the apostolic days likely met in homes, and most probably did not have full-time pastors, yet Paul gave instructions for gathering their offerings. At that time, the giving was primarily for the poor saints dwelling at Jerusalem. They had been pooling all their resources since Pentecost, the common fund had run out, and they were now destitute. Because they were destitute through obedience to the Word of God, God in turn took care of them through the offerings of Gentile believers. Paul stressed that the Jews were worthy of material gifts because of all the things owed to them for the spiritual things they had given to Gentiles. Les notes that Paul deals with giving for almost three chapters—7, 8, and 9.