The need was there. Believers in Jerusalem were suffering, and there was a fund-raising mission happening among churches throughout Asia Minor.
Some of the first running to raise funds and give were the Corinthians. Paul boasted about their eagerness to give, especially to those up in Macedonia.
“Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them” (2 Cor 9:1-2).
Zeal produces zeal and that’s exactly what Paul was doing. It was a friendly provoking of inspiration to others to give in similar fashion.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” (Heb 10:24).
But Paul did not want his boasting to be empty. He was taking Macedonians to the Corinthians believers and if the Corinthian believers had become negligent, it was going to be embarrassing. For everyone.
“But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction” (2 Cor 9:3-5).
Why would they not have a donation? Why would they not be ready with funds when they had made it clear they were so eager to give?
If you remember from earlier chapters, the relationship between the Corinthians and Paul had gone frosty. Paul had to rebuke them on some matters of sexual immorality in the church, and while the believers responded, they also shut their hearts to Paul. It had now become a functional relationship, but one that operates from the mind and not the free-flow of the heart.
-
2 Corinthians 6:11–12 — “Our heart is wide open” — Paul contrasts his open heart with their restricted affections.
-
2 Corinthians 6:13 — “Widen your hearts also” — Paul directly appeals for reciprocal affection.
-
2 Corinthians 7:2 — “Make room in your hearts for us” — Paul explicitly asks them to receive him.
It was into this uncomfortable situation that Paul was writing. He isn’t going to be frosty in return. He begs them to open their hearts to him, he still takes great pride in them (“I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy” (2 Cor 7:4)), and he loves them.
Perhaps because of this bumpy relationship he felt the need to make sure they were going to follow through with their gift. Otherwise, his boasting would have been in vain, everyone would be embarrassed, and the mutual provoking of one another to love and good deeds would fall flat.
It would be a bad precedent for future needs. Paul was right in sending a delegation ahead of time just to make sure.
What can we glean from this?
1) When there is a need in the body of Christ where there is tremendous suffering, there is a place for us to give
2) Bumpy relationships happen, but that should not stop us doing what we said we would do
3) It is good to encourage others to give based on how others are giving. Make it fun. “The church in China gave $ and let’s see if we can match or beat that”
4) It’s Ok to follow-up on giving and promises to give.