Antioch was an interesting place. The bustling city in Syria was home to a diverse group of believers—both Jew and gentile—who worshipped the God of Israel together. In fact, Antioch would be the training ground for a young man named Paul, also known as Saul, as God prepared him for a global ministry.
After a time of persecution, a prophet who lived in Jerusalem visited Antioch, and while there, he received a word from the Lord.
And one of them, named Agabus, stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). Acts 11:28
Notice, Agabus predicted that a famine would impact the entire world. Needless to say, the believers in Antioch would also be impacted. Their response to this word was not to stockpile food for themselves, but to send financial aid to the believers in Jerusalem.
Barnabas and Saul were commissioned by the believers to deliver the gift. This would set a precedent for aid that Paul would gather for Jerusalem’s Messianic Jews in the future.
In Galatians, Paul writes about visiting Jerusalem (it is possible that the visit he mentions is the very one where he is delivering the offering from the believers in Antioch to the Messianic Jews in Jerusalem). During this visit, the apostles set Saul and Barnabas apart for ministry to the gentiles, but they made one request:
Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. Gal 2:10
The poor here refers to the poor among the Messianic Jews. So, on Paul’s missionary journeys, he does exactly what is asked of him – but not simply because it is asked, but because he is eager to do it.
In 1 Corinthians 16, he instructs the believers in Achaia to set aside money on the first day of the week in order to send it to the saints in Jerusalem (1 Cor 16:1-4). When he gets a report that they might not be following through, he sends a follow-up letter (which we know as 2 Corinthians). Paul shamelessly exhorts the believers to see the joy in blessing the Messianic Jews in Israel. The entirety of chapters 8 and 9 is centered on his urging the believers in Achaia to ready their offering. It is in this context that he says,
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Cor 9:7
Thankfully, we know they complied because shortly thereafter, Paul penned Romans in which he mentions something striking.
At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. Rom 15:25-27
Apparently, the churches in Achaia, along with the churches of Macedonia, contributed to blessing Israel’s Messianic Jews. What a privilege it is to partner with our Jewish brothers and sisters for the declaration of the Gospel, for their goodwill, and for brotherly love and unity.
I pray that we, like them, will be pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. Not just the poor financially, but the poor in spirit. We have the ability to empower our Jewish brethren to labor faithfully in the Lord’s beautiful harvest. How ripe are the fields!
