Why were the poor saints in Jerusalem destitute?
The poor saints in Jerusalem became destitute because, during the events of Acts 2, 3, and 4, they sold all their goods expecting the King was coming and they would not need them. When the King was rejected and did not come, they were naturally left destitute. Gentile offerings later provided for them.
Les explains that the Jerusalem saints had sold all their goods during the events of Acts chapter 2, 3, and 4 because they expected the King was coming and would not need them. When the King was rejected and did not come, they were naturally left destitute. God then providentially provided for them through the offerings from Paul's Gentile converts, which Paul says were designated for the poor saints in Jerusalem in Romans 15 and 1 Corinthians 16. Galatians 2:10 adds that they asked Paul to remember the poor, which he was forward to do.
More Questions
Why were the saints in Jerusalem so poor that Paul had to take up a collection for them?
The saints in Jerusalem had been left destitute because of their own offerings into the common treasury that began back in Acts chapter 2.