JOHN CHOWNING
The litmus test of a person, his character, and his life is measured by carefully and thoughtfully examining what he does (Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46-49). Few things are more illustrative of this truth than a thorough examination of a project the apostle Paul worked on for several years of his life and involved a sizable amount of money.
After making an analysis of Paul and the Great Collection, one writer concluded—There is no nobler example of disinterested benevolence in history. Except for the false accusations, constant character assassination, and a bogus arrest in Jerusalem, Paul profited nothing from it. We, however, can profit much by considering the heart and soul of this one who spearheaded this monumental effort and saw it through to its completion.
Paul was a man of integrity. He gave his word to Peter, James, and John that he would remember the poor among the Jews while in Jerusalem (Galatians 2:9-10) between his first and second church-planting journeys (Acts 15), and he kept it. Despite the passage of time and the trials such an endeavor generated for him, he was impervious to what it cost him personally. This is the granite-like integrity righteous people in fellowship with God have when they give their word (Psalm 15:1, 4).
Paul was a man of wisdom. Kindness destroys barriers faster and more efficiently than conflict and bitterness do. Prior to the gospel, the Jews and Gentiles were alienated from one another religiously, socially, and ethnically. God’s plan was to reconcile them to Him and one another in one body by the cross (Ephesians 2:16). In practical terms, few things combat the horrific evils of prejudice, pride, and alienation better than kindness (Romans 12:20-21). Paul’s wisdom is not seen in simply noting he knew what the remedy was; it shines brightest by observing his diligence in doing the wise thing.
Paul fervently loved his brethren and kinsmen. His immense and intense love for his kinsmen in the flesh is declared in Romans 9:2-3 with these stunning words: “I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” It is morally impossible for Paul to be accursed for his brethren; however, it was possible for him to tirelessly teach them the gospel of the One who was accursed for them (cf. Galatians 3:13) and do all within his power to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction. Like Mary (Mark 14:8), Paul did what he could.
Paul had a strong sense of duty. Recompensing those who preach the gospel and having a sense of debt and duty to others who help promote the gospel are not optional matters in God’s eyes: “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things...It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things..If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?” (Galatians 6:6; Romans 15:27; 1 Corinthians 9:11).
At the very beginning of the church, the generous brethren in Jerusalem supported at least twelve full-time preachers and their families, plus needy widows (Acts 6). Without the selfless financial sacrifices like those described in Acts 4:32-34, the early church would not have thrived as it did and that would have resulted in the Gentiles not hearing the gospel. The Gentile Christians had a debt to pay and a duty to discharge in light of this.
Paul’s courage. Few things place a traveler in any greater danger than the transporting of a large sum of money on a thousand mile trip from Corinth to Philippi to Troas to Jerusalem. Christ’s bond-servant was not carrying paper currency. He could not convert a single shekel into legal tender that could be hidden discreetly while he traveled. There were no travelers’ checks or electronic money transfers. The best he could do would be to divide the sizable amount of coins among his traveling companions like Ezra did (cf. Ezra 8:24-33) and carry a sword (cf. Luke 22:36) to protect the Lord’s money.
In addition, before he ever boarded the ship which sailed out of Miletus’ harbor for Caesarea in Palestine, the Holy Spirit was informing him in every city that bonds and afflictions lay ahead of him (Acts 20:23). After landing safely in Caesarea, the prophet Agabus (who had accurately predicted the famine in Judaea about twelve years earlier—Acts 11:28) predicts Paul’s arrest in Jerusalem by the Jews (Acts 21:11-12). Though many sought to persuade him to not make the final leg of the trip, Paul courageously went ahead (Acts 11:13-14). He refused to allow his courage succumb to his fears or the fears of others.
Integrity. Wisdom. Brotherly love. Duty. Courage.
Five essential characteristics every soldier of the cross ought to possess.