Yes, the men are trustworthy because they are approved by the churches and known for their integrity.
Les Feldick emphasizes that these men are chosen and approved by the churches, ensuring they are of honest report and full of the Holy Spirit. The collection is handled with transparency and accountability, with letters of approval from Jerusalem. This reflects the biblical principle of handling funds with integrity.
2 Corinthians 8:19-21 — Paul's commendation of the men and his concern for honorable conduct in the administration of the offering.
The Bible indicates that offerings for the poor saints were to be collected with integrity and accountability. In 1 Corinthians 16:2-4, Paul instructs that each believer should lay by in store on the first day of the week, and that approved persons would be sent to carry the gift to Jerusalem. In 2 Corinthians 8:20-21, Paul expresses his aim to avoid any blame in the administration of the collection, desiring to be honorable not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men. This shows that the men involved were chosen for their trustworthiness.
Les Feldick teaches that the men collecting offerings, likely led by Titus, are men of integrity who will faithfully deliver the funds to Jerusalem. He points out that Paul wanted to avoid any appearance of coercion, so he encouraged the Corinthians to prepare their gift beforehand. The men were approved by the churches, as seen in the instruction to send them with letters, ensuring accountability. Les also contrasts the eager, willing giving of the Macedonian believers with the reluctant giving often seen today.
Les Feldick shows that the men were approved by the churches and likely accompanied by letters of recommendation (2 Corinthians 8:22-23). They were chosen to handle the collection with integrity, ensuring it reached the poor saints in Jerusalem. The emphasis is on their character and accountability.
Les Feldick highlights that the Macedonian believers, though poor, begged Paul for the opportunity to give to the saints in Jerusalem. They gave beyond their ability, first giving themselves to the Lord. This shows their willingness and the integrity of the collection process.
Encouragement to Complete the Collection
Les explains Paul's desire for the Corinthians to complete the collection before his arrival so that giving would be voluntary, not pressured.
Why the Rapture Is a Secret Most Christians Miss - Romans 16:25 Explained
And so what happened to these poor saints? I imagine a lot of them had come for Passover or Pentecost from maybe Babylon and Rome, and boy they got involved in all this, and they gave what they had, and they didn�t even have ship fare home. So what did they do? They lived off the kitty, and I imagine it was a pretty good existence.
Approved Men with Letters
Les emphasizes that the men sent with the offerings are approved by the churches and come with letters, ensuring accountability.
Why Poor Churches Begged to Give - 2 Corinthians 8:1-6
They almost the other way around. They begged the apostle for the opportunity to take of their offerings, and with much entreaty that we should receive the gift. Now verse 4. Continuing on. Verse 4. And take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints in Jerusalem. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord.
Willing Giving of the Macedonians
Les contrasts the eager, willing giving of the Macedonians with the reluctant giving often seen today, highlighting the integrity of the early believers.
Why Repentance Was Offered to Israel — Acts 5 Explained
It just says that, listen, we've got to have somebody to serve tables so that we don't have to. We've got to preach the Word. Read on. Verse 3, Wherefore brethren, look you out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit. Now watch this language. Seven men, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Why Paul's Gospel to Gentiles Is Different From Peter's
Everybody would enjoy the wealth of the Kingdom, so they did it gladly. But, Israel didn't respond. The Kingdom didn't come in. And what happened to their kitty? It ran dry. Now listen, once you have relieved yourself of all your material wealth, and it's gone, it's pretty hard to start over, isn't it? And it was back then. And so what did they become? Poor.
Why Did Ananias & Sapphira Die? Acts 5 Explained
Remember according to the Old Testament program, just not long after they would reject the Messiah, then would come the wrath and vexation, and then would come the King. Well with that in view, they weren�t that worried about keeping their property, and so they gladly brought it to the apostles� feet, because the more the apostles could preach the Kingdom, the more Jews would be brought in as beli…
1 Corinthians 16:2-4: Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
Paul instructs the Corinthians to set aside funds and sends approved men to deliver the offering.
2 Corinthians 8:20-21: Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
Paul's concern for integrity in handling the collection.
Les Feldick explains that these men were approved by the churches and sent with letters of recommendation, ensuring transparency and accountability. They were men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit, and their character was certified by the community.
Les Feldick explains that many Jewish believers had sold their property and gave the proceeds to the apostles, expecting the Kingdom to come soon. When the Kingdom did not come, they were left destitute, and God used the offerings from Paul's Gentile converts to support them.
Watch the Teaching: Are Christians Required to Tithe? 2 Corinthians 8:7-9 Explained