Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

(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.

(2Co 8:12) “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.”  The reference to “a willing mind” speaks of a desire to do something for God (context: give financially). The heart may wish one could do more, and feel bad one cannot give as much as another. It is the heart God honors. It’s possible one’s gift along with such a desire is far greater than the most another gives.

(2Co 8:10) “And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. (11)  Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.”  The Holy Spirit knows all about us. For most of us, we desire and propose to do many things of which we never move ourselves to begin, much less fulfill. Talk is not an exercise of faith, neither is desire. May God help each of us to do.

(2Co 8:9) “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” Of course the message here is plain: give to others as  your Lord gave to you: “Do unto others…”.  Moreso, giving for such a need is a demonstration of true faith: (Jas 2:16) “And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? (17) Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” 

(2Co 8:9) “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”  As God the pre-incarnate Christ, He had need of nothing, complete in Himself, living where there was no pain, no suffering, no death, no sin, worshipped by all created beings! Yes, He was rich beyond man’s ability or knowledge to comprehend, much less describe.

(2Co 8:8) “I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.”  If we have truly been saved, endowed with the grace of the salvation experience, then it will be revealed by actions, not words. A person in the flesh can only test the reality of  your profession by your actions: Jesus’ Words…(Mat 7:20) “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”