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Financial accountability in the message: Difference between revisions

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::''Related articles'': '''[[Are Christians required to tithe?]]''' and '''[[Church Governance in the Message|Church governance]]'''
::''Related articles'': '''[[Are Christians required to tithe?]]''' and '''[[Church Governance in the Message|Church governance]]'''


Somewhere in the mid-fifties A.D., Paul organized a collection of money from the Gentile churches for the impoverished Jewish Christians in Jerusalem.
Somewhere in the mid-fifties A.D., Paul organized a collection of money from the Gentile churches for the impoverished Jewish Christians in Jerusalem.  In 2 Corinthians chapter 8, Paul elaborates the procedure for collecting the funds. Large sums of money were involved.


In 2 Corinthians chapter, Paul elaborates the procedure for collecting the funds. Large sums of money were involved.
Paul tells us:


In 2 Cor 8:16-23 Paul tells us:
:''But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of '''Titus''' the same earnest care I have for you. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord.  '''With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches''' for his preaching of the gospel.  And not only that, but '''he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us''' as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. ''' We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.'''  And with them we are '''sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you.'''  As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 2 Cor 8:16–23.</ref>
 
:''But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of '''Titus''' the same earnest care I have for you. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord.  '''With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches''' for his preaching of the gospel.  And not only that, but '''he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us''' as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. ''' We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.'''  And with them we are '''sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you.'''  As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 2 Co 8:16–23.</ref>


Money is a sensitive issue and frequently sparks controversy. The administration of an effort like the Jerusalem collection could easily give rise to allegations of mishandling of funds. Verses 16–23 show the kind of precautions Paul took to ensure the responsible handling and transportation of a considerable sum of money.  
Money is a sensitive issue and frequently sparks controversy. The administration of an effort like the Jerusalem collection could easily give rise to allegations of mishandling of funds. Verses 16–23 show the kind of precautions Paul took to ensure the responsible handling and transportation of a considerable sum of money.