Earnest Care

2 Corinthians 8:16-21    
16 But thanks be to God who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. 17 For he not only accepted the exhortation, but being more diligent, he went to you of his own accord. 18 And we have sent with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches, 19 and not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord Himself and to show your ready mind, 20 avoiding this: that anyone should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us— 21 providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

God puts the love in our hearts and drives us to care for each other, as He demonstrates here in Titus.  This man diligently went to minister to the Corinthians without being directed to do so; he saw the need and God moved him, so he obeyed and joyfully went to serve.  Then another was sent with him to serve together, one who was chosen by “all the churches” and sent often to travel with Paul.  This in turn showed the Corinthians’ openness to accept these ministers and allowed God’s glory to be seen in the large gift honorably provided in the sight of God and man.  We also strive to minister honorably, zealously, respectably, and for God’s glory in all things.