“And we have sent with them our brother whom we have often proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, because of the great confidence which we have in you.
If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren are inquired about, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. Therefore show to them, and before the churches the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf” (2 Corinthians 8:22-24).
The act of receiving a recommendation, commendation, or endorsement from another person is something that is often satisfying and validating for the person who receives it. In advising the members of the Corinthian church regarding the delegation that had been sent to meet with them, the Apostle Paul offered one such a recommendation on behalf of Titus: “As for Titus, he is our colleague and partner in your affairs” (Phillips). Coming from someone like Paul the Apostle (a man who was personally commissioned to the work of the ministry by Jesus Himself), that was certainly a lofty commendation.
In addition to the previously mentioned (but unidentified) person who was “…famous in all the churches” Paul mentions another well-respected individual, one who had shown himself to be “diligent in many things.” Much like Titus and his unnamed associate who was chosen by the churches of that area, this anonymous individual was someone who possessed similar leadership qualities. Together, they formed a team who could be trusted with this sizable financial gift.
So this brings us to the end of 2 Corinthians chapter eight. Although this chapter ends here at verse twenty-four, we’ll soon find that this is not the end of Paul’s discourse on the subject of financial giving. As we’ll see in the opening verses of the following chapter, Paul was not above using the motivational tools at his disposal to encourage the Corinthians to move forward in fulfilling their commitments. He will also continue with an agricultural analogy that will help illustrate the importance of investing the resources that God has entrusted to us.
We can close our look at this portion of Scripture by summing up a few of the principles of financial giving contained within this chapter…
- Difficult economic circumstances should not automatically prevent us from assisting others (8:1-4).
- We should seek God’s direction first in regard to financial giving (8:5).
- We must follow through on our financial commitments (8:6-11).
- God wants us to give what we have, not what we don’t (8:12).