Today’s reading is 2 Corinthians 8.
Wait! What? Appoint a brother to travel along with Paul to make sure he is being honest with the money the churches are contributing to help the Jerusalem saints? How dare they? Yet, Paul isn’t upset about it at all. In fact, he glories in it because he wants to do what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight, but also in man’s. If I can get very practical on this one. I heard of a congregation in which the elders started establishing some boundaries regarding class teachers, especially for children’s classes. Boundaries like, must have been a congregational member for at least six months, always have more than one teacher in the classroom, spouses could teach together but there had to be at least one more non-family teacher with them, background checks, windows in the classroom doors, etc. I’m sure you know exactly why these measures were taken. What blew me away was how offended people were that the elders would establish these protocols and boundaries. I try not to assume the worst about those who were offended, but let us allow Paul to be our guide. Don’t be so sensitive. Don’t take it personally. See these kinds of boundaries as an opportunity to not only be honorable before God but to demonstrate honor before people. And, let’s face it, these kinds of boundaries help keep honest Christians honest and help us find those who need our support and help staying honest. Why wouldn’t we want that? Paul was okay with it. Don’t be so sensitive.
Tomorrow’s reading is 2 Corinthians 9.
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