In the scriptures, we have a clear record of various churches contributing financially to the saints in Israel. 

We first see this generosity mentioned in the book of Acts.  The prophet Agabus prophecies that a great famine would come upon all the world.  The church responded by each person, according to their ability, sending relief to the brethren in Judaea.

Beyond this instance of helping the saints of Israel in a time of need, we see a specific element of the Apostle Paul’s ministry centered around the cause.

In Galatians, we read of Paul’s commissioning by Peter, James and John to minister to the Gentiles, and the apostles requested that he would remember the poor (the poor saints in Israel), and Paul said he was anxious to do it (Galatians 2:9-10).

We see Paul’s ministry to the saints in Israel mentioned in 1 Corinthians 16.  The Apostle Paul indicates that he gave order to the churches in Galatia, and he is also giving order to the church in Corinth, to lay aside money on the first day of the week in order to send it to the saints in Jerusalem.

We also see it mentioned in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9.  Here the Apostle Paul indicates that the churches in Macedonia have given generously in spite of their deep poverty (8:2), and that the Corinthians should abound in the same grace (8:7) and give to the saints in Jerusalem (8:11).  He also mentions the saints in Achaia as participants in this grace of giving (9:2).

Again, we see it mentioned in Romans 15.  Paul explains to the Roman church that he is going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints the financial gift from the churches of Macedonia and Achaia.  He says that it not only pleased the churches to do it…but that it was their duty to do so.

After he is arrested, Paul even mentions to Felix the governor this act of giving offerings to the saints in Israel (Acts 24:17).

Even though Paul was an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, he had a very specific ministry to the saints in Israel.  He exhorted the churches to minister financially to the saints.

Let us do the same.

Lifting up Zion exists for the purpose of blessing the saints in Israel.  Your donation to this ministry will go directly to help the churches of Israel.

Furthermore, we ask you to pray for the salvation of the Jewish people who have not come to believe in Jesus, Yeshua, as their Messiah.

Author

  • Akaya Kitchen

    Akaya Kitchen is the founder and president of Lifting up Zion. God called her to “lift up Zion” in 2011 after her first visit to Israel. She fulfills that by (1) encouraging the Body of Christ to pray for the salvation of Israel and (2) collecting funds for the Messianic Jewish community in Israel. She is an ordained Assemblies of God minister. Akaya has a Master’s degree in Applied Communication and a Certificate in Biblical Studies. She is married to her husband, Lee, Associate Pastor of Hope Church in Helena-West Helena, Arkansas, and is a dedicated daughter, sister, and aunt. She is the author of the book How You Should Pray for Israel.

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