Romans 15:22-29

22: For this reason I have often been prevented from coming to you;
23: but now, with no further place for me in these regions, and since I have had for many years a longing to come to you
24: whenever I go to Spain—for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while—
25: but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints.
26: For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.
27: Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.
28: Therefore, when I have finished this, and have put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain.
29: I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

*** 

Paul told the saints in Rome of his plans to see them on his way to Spain. However, he was going to Jerusalem first. (We read in Acts 19:21 where Paul decided to do this). He said he had wanted to come see them for many years but his call to preach the gospel to those who hadn’t heard it yet prevented him from coming.

His purpose in Jerusalem would be to deliver a contribution from the believers in Macedonia and Achaia to the poor saints in Jerusalem. He said they were pleased to contribute to them for they were indebted to the Jews in Jerusalem. Paul explained this indebtedness by saying that the Gentiles who had shared in the spiritual things the Jews had brought them—namely the message of Jesus Christ—were indebted to give of their material things to them. The spiritual things being of greater value than material things.

When we give of our material things, whether money, food, or other substance, to those who have given or shared a spiritual gift with us, it shows our belief that the spiritual things of God are more important—of a greater value—to us than material things. Not that we are ‘buying’ them, for they are free, but we are indebted to those who bring us such a priceless and eternal gift.

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