Articles
Something to Aim For
Suppose you had a large sum of money that needed to be hand delivered to some people you’ve never met who live nearly a thousand miles away. Suppose also that those individuals did not have a cell phone or internet access to confirm their receipt of the money or that they got all of the money you sent. Whoever delivers the money would easily be able to take some or all of it and never be caught. Under that scenario, who would you trust enough to deliver that money?
That was the scenario that the churches in Macedonia and Corinth found themselves. They were collecting money for needy saints in Judea (nearly 1,000 miles away) and there was no way to wire money or venmo it. In a scenario where doubt and accusations of indiscretion could easily be made, Paul wanted this gift of money and its delivery to be unquestionably honorable (II Cor. 8:20-21). So, he instructed the church to select someone they trusted in order to be the deliverer (I Cor. 16:3). It seems the other churches were making their own choices as well in this regard.
The men that the Macedonian churches selected were called their messengers, and, more importantly, “a glory to Christ” (II Cor. 8:23). These men were of such character and reputation that they brought glory to the name of Christ. That short little phrase at the end of a verse near the end of a chapter has often been overlooked. Paul’s main point isn’t to praise those men but to call on the Corinthians to be ready to deliver their gift for the needy saints. But still, that phrase is there—four words filled with so much meaning.
These were the type of men who transcended the greed and corruption of the world and through their honesty and reliability became like the prophets of old… “men of whom the world was not worthy” (Heb. 11:38). Their great character is attributed to God. His word has worked in them (I Thes. 2:13) to make them something that God wants. “For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13). Their works shine for men to see and bring glory to God (Mt. 5:16).
If these men were “a glory to Christ,” then is it not also fair to say that they are the type of men that God is not ashamed to be called their God (Heb. 11:16)?
If these men were “a glory to Christ,” does it not also stand to reason that they would hear the most blessed words from their God, “Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master” (Mt. 25:21)?
There are many in the world who are convinced that people can never be good—that you cannot be a truly good person. We can’t make the right decision. We can’t please God. After all, we are only human. But some men rise above such thinking. They are blameless and righteous and trustworthy. Joseph was like that. He was a man who could be trusted with everything in his master’s household or in the treasury of a world super power. He didn’t need supervision. He simply did what was right. Clearly Joseph was not alone. The messengers of Macedonia had proven themselves to be the same. Truly, they were “a glory to Christ.”
Now that’s something to aim for, isn’t it?
