What can the apostle Paul teach ministry leaders about friendship, mentorship, and meaningful connection? Discover how defining, aligning, and intentionally investing in relationships can strengthen both ministry and life.

Unity

We have seen that Paul encourages the members in Corinth to get involved in a collection for the impoverished churches in Judea. One of his purposes is to kindle a sense of unity. He wants them to participate, to be part of the mission. He wants to show that the Gentile churches are part of the same family of God as are the Jewish believers in Jerusalem. That is, these people, who were once their opponents, are now, indeed, fellow members with them in God's New Covenant remnant. Paul wants to see the whole Christian family, Jew and Gentile, united in a powerful way that can bear a witness to the church in generations to come.

Titus and two other acclaimed brothers were in charge of the funds. God put this care for the church into the heart of Titus (2 Cor. 8:16). Through the churches, God also chose the two other brothers (2 Cor. 8:18-23). They are called "messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ" (2 Cor. 8:23, NKJV). Whether "the glory of Christ" describes these two faithful brothers or the churches themselves does not matter. Giving offerings is ultimately a signal of loyalty to Christ, the Head of the church (Eph. 4:15).

Second Corinthians 8-9 indicates that the offerings should be given to people appointed by God through the church. The phrases "all the churches" (2 Cor. 8:18, NKJV), "chosen by the churches" (2 Cor. 8:19, NKJV), and "messengers of the churches" (2 Cor. 8:23, NKJV) suggest precisely that. Thus, the following exhortation is not surprising, "Give proof before the churches of your love" (2 Cor. 8:24, ESV).

Bringing offerings to the church--God's appointed instrument on earth--promotes unity and, at the same time, is the result of a sense of unity (2 Cor. 8:13-14). Money can be a great unifier. On the other hand, if people's eyes are not single to the glory of God, money can create division as well.

How does Romans 15:26-27 reveal Paul's desire for unity here?

Finally, Paul depicts the collection as service or ministry, as an act of grace, as a blessing, as an act of worship, and also as fellowship. All that from an offering? Think about it.

How does our giving to fellow churches and missions overseas, often in faraway places, help bring unity to our world church?

First and Second Corinthians — Stewardship and Mission — Attitude

Join us as we study the Bible Study Guide for the third quarter of 2026 called First and Second Corinthians. We are studying the lesson for week 11 called Stewardship and Mission.    

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Attitude

Read  2 Corinthians 8:1-5. What possible reason could have been behind the Macedonians' willingness to give their offerings with such generosity?

The positive attitude of the Macedonians can be seen in several ways.

First, they gave with abundant joy (2 Cor. 8:2). Paul says that the Macedonians' "abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity" (2 Cor. 8:2, ESV). He later mentions that "God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7, NKJV). The Greek word rendered as "cheerful" occurs only here in the New Testament. A term from the same family occurs elsewhere: "The one who does acts of mercy [must do it] with cheerfulness" (Rom. 12:8, ESV). Terms from this word family sometimes appear in extra-biblical literature, with a sense of gladness and happiness. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, being a cheerful giver means giving without reluctance.

Second, they gave with generosity (2 Cor. 8:2). Before Paul mentioned the Macedonians' generosity, he first referred to their "extreme poverty" (ESV). The word "generosity" (in Greek, haplotētos) appears twice more in 2 Corinthians 8, and 9. Paul says, "You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion" (2 Cor. 9:11, NIV, emphasis supplied), meaning that we are given so that we can then give. A little further, he mentions "the generosity of your contribution" (2 Cor. 9:13, ESV, emphasis supplied). In this passage, being generous in contributing is a way of confessing Christ's gospel.

Third, they gave "of their own free will" (2 Cor. 8:3, NLT). This means that they gave voluntarily. This becomes even more admirable when one sees they did not give out of their surplus, for their resources were extremely limited. Paul uses the same idea to characterize Titus's willingness to visit the Corinthians. He went to Corinth voluntarily (2 Cor. 8:17).

Fourth, they gave with a sense that giving is a privilege (2 Cor. 8:4). This attitude is perceptible in the Macedonians' request to participate in the collection. "They urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service" (2 Cor. 8:4

What happens when the rules you were given for purity don't match the life you end up living? Beth Hill grew up inside purity culture's strict guidelines for dress, dating, and desire, and in this Lifestyle column she traces how those rules shaped her sense of self, her marriage, and even her faith in God. Some of it was good. Some of it, she came to realize, went further than Scripture ever did. Beth Thomas joins her to unpack what purity culture got wrong, what it's cost a generation now raising kids of their own, and what a healthier, more biblical picture of purity actually looks like. Listen to the full article and decide for yourself.