The following is from one of my students at Colorado Christian University currently enrolled in a Fiscal Management for Nonprofit Organizations Class. Mariah (Riah) Hodges lives in Topeka, Kansas and volunteers at the Topeka Rescue Mission and Global Missions Ministries.

Bible Verse for Today:

Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man. (2 Corinthians 8:16-21 NIV)

Understanding the background of this passage helped my understanding and ability to gain some insights. Paul was concerned about the impact of a famine in Jerusalem and the suffering it was causing the Christians. He had received offerings from the Macedonians and was now sending Titus and two other brothers ahead to Corinth to receive their offerings. Paul would join up with Titus and his companions in Corinth. The entourage would then travel to Jerusalem to distribute the offerings to the suffering Christians. 

In 2 Corinthians 8:16-21, there are several points that stand out: 

1. Accountability requires the right heart.

Paul thanked God for giving Titus a heart of concern for those who were suffering, making him like-minded to Paul and the others. Titus took initiative, he was happy to help!

These verses remind us that God knits hearts together for a common cause. God placed Titus in Corinth and placed in him a heart for the people. As a result, he was more than willing to return to Jerusalem and help distribute the gifts to those who were in need. He did not complain. This was more than just cooperation. Titus was honored to serve the Lord this way and saw this more than just an “assignment” but as an undertaking that he “owned” or embraced. This was more than mission alignment, it was heart alignment.

We too need the right heart and attitude when it comes to receiving and distributing the Lord’s gifts. How do we view what is entrusted to us?

A few weeks ago, I was on a zoom call with Pastor Jim Walters of Servants of Christ International. Pastor Jim stated in this call “everything we have been given belongs to God.” He then made a comment that I enjoyed and changed my perspective on things. He said, even when his car needs repaired his thought isn’t “my car needs repaired, what am I going to do?!” Instead it’s “God, Your car needs repaired, what are You going to do?” I mention this little story because in any organization intended to help the needy, we have to recognize that the donations and gifts being given are not ours, but God’s, and we were simply trusted to distribute them accordingly and to be happy doing the Lord’s work that way! 

2.The men taking the gift were trusted.      

“and we are sending with him a brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help” (2 Corinthians 8:18-19 NIV)

This brother is unknown to us but known by Paul and the Church. His desire was to honor God through his service. This brother was “chosen by the church” which indicates he had a good reputation and could be trusted by the Corinthians. His character paved the way for greater service and responsibility. Faithfulness leads to expanded opportunity to serve. That can be a great honor and reward.

We see Paul and his companions express the proper attitude and motivation when he says, we administer (this offering) “to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.”

 In an organization that is intended to distribute gifts to those in need, donor motivation and trust are of great significance to succeed. Donors want to know that the organization can manage and distribute finances in a way that shows integrity, accountability and careful consideration. When they see we are capable of doing so, they begin to trust the organization and its abilities to honor God and serve those who are in need. What an honor it is to be able to serve the Lord and His children! 

3. These verses remind us “there is safety in numbers”

“We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of man” (2 Corinthians 8:20-21 NIV)

Titus, and the unnamed brothers (v.22) were entrusted with this task of collecting the offering and then joining with Paul to travel to Jerusalem to distribute it to those in need. There was not only the risk of traveling great distances, but the need for accountability as well. They approached their responsibility in a manner to make it difficult for people to place blame and claim they are being dishonest with the offering and did so in a way to avoid any “appearance of evil.” 

Paul says, “we are taking pains to do what is right.” Doing what is right might take longer, it might be more difficult, it will take more effort. But when it come to being faithful stewards it is what the Lord desires and deserves.

Bible Verse for today: “…He raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.”

Acts 13:22 ESV) “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.”  (James 2:23 ESV)

Our relationship with God can serve as the basis for healthy relationships with others. In our zoom class today on “The Bible and Mental Health” Ron Hanson shared about “Attachment Bonds: How They Shape Relationships.”

Psychologist John Bowlby says, “the concept of attachment is a lasting psychological connectedness between human beings.” If we apply that spiritually we could say, “attachment is a lasting spiritual connectedness between an individual and God.”

We can be thankful as New Testament believers for the relationship with God through Jesus Christ that is afforded to us by forgiveness and grace offered in the cross. That is why when I read of the lives of Old Testament leaders and especially David’s relationship with the Lord in the Psalms it is even more striking.

There are four distinguishing characteristics of attachment physiologically and they have an application to our spiritual lives.

1 – Proximity Maintenance – The desire to be near the people we are attached to. Application: Do you value and cultivate the Lord’s presence in your life?

 “…in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 “…Set me in your presence forever.” Psalm 41:12 “…The upright shall dwell in your presence.” Psalm 140:13

2 – Safe Haven – Returning to the attachment figure for comfort and safety in the face of fear or threat. Application: Is the Lord a source of comfort, safety and security for your life?

“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2 (NIV) ”…I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2 (NVI)

3 – Secure Base – The attachment figure acts as stability from which a person ventures into activities of daily living. Application: Take the Lord with you each day every day.

“For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness. For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.” Psalm 18:28,29 (NIV)

When Moses was preparing to lead God’s people to the promised land, the Lord responded to his plea for help with these words,  ”The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Moses’ response back to the Lord was, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” (Exodus 33:14,15 NIV)

Remember how the Children of Israel in the wilderness were not to move unless they were following the cloud? That is a good reminder of how important it is for us to trust the Lore for His daily guidance, protection and provision for our life.

4 – Separation Distress – Anxiety that occurs in the absence of the attachment figure. Application: Are we aware of the decisions and actions that bring separation between us and the Lord? While we can be confident of the Lord’s love, we must desire to always be close to Him. We see King David’s prayer of repentance included this plea:

“Do not cast me from your presence   or take your Holy Spirit from me.” Psalm 51:11 NIV

“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you?  And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:23-26

I encourage you to look for other verses and the application of these concepts for your life. When we are secure in our relationship with the Lord it will serve as the basis for our healthy relationships with others. We won’t be looking for people to meet the needs that God alone can meet on a consistent basis.