Paul's Welfare Labors

Robert Matthews noted that in addition to his missionary labors, Paul was heavily involved in welfare projects (see here).  The book of Acts focuses largely on Paul’s missions to preach the gospel, but I think it is telling to see how concerned he was for those who were poor at Jerusalem.  Early on in the book of Acts we learn that “the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judæa” (Acts 11:29).  Paul seems to have taken upon him the charge to continue gathering that relief all throughout his ministry.  He told the Galatians, “Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do” (Galatians 2:10).  To the Corinthians he said, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye” (1 Corinthians 16:1).  He encouraged the Corinthians again in his second letter to them to give to this fund: “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).  He clearly was asking the Saints all over that he taught to help gather aid for the poor who were at Jerusalem and he was determined to get it to them. 

            Much of the aid that he gathered for the Saints at Judea was, it appears, given to them when he went to Jerusalem at the end of his third mission.  Towards the end of that mission he wrote to the Romans from Corinth, saying, “But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.  For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem” (Romans 15:25-26).  He confirmed that this actually happened when he stood before Felix after his arrival and arrest: “Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings” (Acts 24:17).  One of the most poignant scenes of the book of Acts was as Paul was heading to Jerusalem at this time and Agabus prophesied that he would be delivered into the hands of the Gentiles.  The disciples “besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.”  Paul responded, “What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:12-13).  I have to think that part of that burning desire in him to make it to Jerusalem was that he wanted desperately to be able to deliver the aid that he had collected to the Saints.  Just prior to this as he was traveling back to Jerusalem he had stopped and met with members of the Church from Ephesus.  He told them, “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).  I’ve always loved that phrase, but it’s all the more powerful to think that this was coming from Paul who was on his way to give welfare assistance that he had been gathering for years to the Saints at Jerusalem.  Paul was no hearer of the word only—his whole life after his conversion was indeed a testimony of his belief that it was better to give than to receive.  We remember Paul as one who gave his whole life in missionary service, and rightly so; we should also remember him as one who sought earnestly to give to those in need.