Providing for honest things in the sight of Lord and men

Lighthouse Bible Church

Sunday, June 14, 2026

2CO 8:16-24

Title: Providing for honest things in the sight of Lord and men

Paul’s representative to pick up the contribution from those in Corinth is a man named Titus. He and Paul were close: TIT 1:1-4, GAL 2:1-6

Titus had genuine love for the folks in the church at Corinth, and his readers were familiar with him. He went on his own accord to them with a unknown brother

(2Co :16-19).

We talked a great of about freewill giving in past weeks. Paul is concerned with the appearance of how his associates use the resources that people have provided (2CO 8:20-21).

Paul understood how important it was that people recognize their work as aboveboard. That’s true for leaders and for us generally, too:

PRO 3:1-4; ROM 14:14-20

Recall how wayward leaders were in their dealings with the people of Israel. They abused the resources they had:

EZE 34:1-6, ISA 56:9-12

Paul was familiar with having to defend his motivations and work, remember:

2CO 1:12-16,

2CO 3:1-7

Church leaders must consider their conduct given the wide-ranging ramifications. Paul directed Timothy to be an example to others in how he led:

1TI 4:12-16

There’s a third, unnamed man mentioned in 2CO 8:22, then v. 23-24 are Paul’s commendation of these men. They brought glory to Christ. How can we?

Doing what with the Christian liberty we believers have we should brings glory to Christ:

1CO 6:15-20,

1CO 10:27-31,

PHI 2:5-11

Titus’ love for the people of Corinth helped determine how he treated them, and how they would receive each other. Let us serve one another like that on our own accord like he did.

It’s especially important that church leaders set an example for the flock in their conduct (and doctrine). They risk being a stumbling block otherwise, and Paul knew that.

The men Paul wrote about brought glory to Christ simply by going about the work that the Lord placed in front of them. He’s prepared good works for us too, and they will bring Him glory.