(2Co 8:24) “Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.”  The Holy Spirit is not here or anywhere or anytime encouraging people to act or do falsely. He seeks genuine conduct of one who truly loves the Lord and is thankful for the tremendous price paid for their salvation.  May He find such in each heart of the truly saved!

(2Co 8:23) “Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.”  “…Titus, he is my partner….”  Although Paul led men, he did not treat them as underlings, but as partners in the ministry. From the layman’s position, the pastor is the leader. From the pastor’s position, they are cherished partners, “….and the glory of Christ.”

(2Co 8:22) “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.”  “Our brother”. I believe the word “our” is referencing that this man is a Corinthian Believer.  When taken as such the “much more diligent” makes sense. He would naturally be spurred to greater faithfulness dealing with those he especially knows.

(2Co 8:20) “Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: (21)  Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.”  Accountability can be seen elsewhere in the Bible. When Ezra left Persia for Jerusalem with a large amount of gold given by the many exiled Israelites, he first weighed it to members of the priesthood before departing and then weighted it again when collected upon arrival at Jerusalem. Such honest dealings in the sight of men is right and prudent.

(2Co 8:19) “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:”  By this we can see accountability when handling money. “You mean, they didn’t trust Paul?” Friend, (1Co_10:13)  “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:…” One given such responsibility should insist on accountability for their own testimony’s sake.

(2Co 8:18) “And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;”  If you and I are to receive any praise, is it not because of the result of the Gospel? We are each gifted by grace the salvation of our eternal soul from hell. We are then gifted with the Holy Spirit Who in turn gifts us special abilities to further the gospel. Any praise received is God’s “in” the Gospel!

(2Co 8:17) “For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.”  It’s saying Titus embraced the Holy Spirit’s promptings (exhortation), desiring to be sent to Corinth to aid them in this collection for the saints. Praise God for those who are willing to do our Lord’s bidding. What has the Lord asked you to do?

(2Co 8:16) “But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.”  Notice the workings of the Holy Spirit in the life of a saved person. It was the Holy Spirit that put it in Titus’ heart to especially care for the people of Corinth. May the Lord help  you and me to recognize His input of special care for another and obey.

(2Co 8:15) “As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.”  The reference is to the result of their following God’s instruction gathering His special provision of manna daily. If we follow the Lord’s leading, doing what He says by faith, He will meet our every need.

 (2Co 8:13) “For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: (14) 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:”  This need of others did not come about through their own laziness or lack of thriftiness. It came from a drought. It was a true need of no fault of their own.