“Proof of Your Love” (2 Cor 8:13-24)

“For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:  But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:  As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack” (vs13-15).

Everything is orderly, so give. There is no reason to be slow in your duties as Christians.  Give in the cause of Christ because the money is used, according to God’s will, for the good of the church. You don’t have to worry about it being wasted. Those whom you’ve found faithful will be faithful in this as well.  Prove your own love - “Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.  Wherefore show ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf”(vs23-24).

God uses the diligent. It doesn’t matter who has the most gifts; the Lord is KNOWN among those that obey Him by the obedience He gives. He reveals His favor by graciously bestowing upon others, not only gifts of speech but of character, so that what we do distinguishes us above others in faithfulness, though not in righteousness or merit - “And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you” (vs22).

We all obtain mercy, so we GIVE from the abundance of what we have, if the brother is in need. We are not moved by, “It’s mine” mentality, but receiving so FREELY, we give to the cause of Christ, taking enough for ourselves and using all else for His benefit and honor. This graciousness is God’s GIFT to us, as we’re transformed into His image - “But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. 17  For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you” (vs16-17).

It is God’s glory that we lay down our lives for the sheep. It shows the honor of the Father that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, as we are in His likeness.  This upright love is not only honorable to God, but it also PROVES before men our sincerity - “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” (vs20-21).

Paul has been proving by BEHAVIOR that his ministry is real. Prove yours by giving - “And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;  And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind“ (vs18-19).