The believers back in Israel were suffering difficult times financially and materially. This may have been due to discrimination and through a time of famine. An offering has been made among the churches in Macedonia who gave generously.

But it appears the church in Corinth has not been part of this giving. Titus has taken it upon himself to go and encourage generosity from the Corinthians in this matter.

This is not just a matter of increasing the needed relief given to the needy believers in Israel, it is about the Corinthians being loving and Christlike in their giving. The believers in Israel needed this giving, but the Corinthian believers needed it as well for their own spiritual good.

Paul speaks of the example of Christ who although being rich, He became poor by coming into this world to complete his work of salvation (v9). Christ’s poverty brings great spiritual riches to God’s people. This should be the great motivation for the Corinthian believers and for us to have a giving and generous nature. In the light of Christ’s giving are you a generous person? Are there ways in which you could be more generous to those in need?