Why are Jews worthy of material gifts from Gentiles?
Their worthiness for Gentile material support rests on the spiritual debt Gentiles owe them. The Jerusalem saints became destitute after obeying God’s Word, so God cared for them through Gentile believers’ offerings. Paul stresses that giving material things acknowledges all that the Jews provided spiritually.
In II Corinthians chapter 8, Paul returns to the subject of giving. Les explains that the little churches founded in the apostolic days likely met in homes and often did not have full-time pastors, yet Paul still gave instructions for gathering offerings. At that time the offerings were primarily for the poor saints dwelling at Jerusalem. Those believers had pooled their resources since Pentecost, and the common fund had run out, leaving them destitute. Because their destitution came through obedience to the Word of God, God cared for them through the offerings of Gentile believers. Paul stressed that Jews are worthy of material gifts because of all Gentiles owe them for the spiritual things given to them. Paul deals with giving for almost three chapters—7, 8, and 9.