READ: Rom. 15:17–29: … For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. … For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things …
Paul elaborates here on the work which Christ Himself has worked through him. Let them understand his words as spoken in his service to Christ, indeed as words which Christ Himself speaks.
On the one hand Paul humbles himself before Christ; on the other hand he points to the authority his words have in Christ’s name. This is confirmed by the signs and wonders he performed in support of the truth of the gospel (cf. Acts 13:9–11; 14:8–10; 16:16–18; 19:11–12; 20:9–10; 28:8–9).
That Paul calls his miracles signs means that they point to the omnipotence of God, the grace in Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Let them therefore obey him as the sent apostle of Christ (Acts 9) in word and deed (v. 18; cf. 2 Cor. 12:12).
For a long time Paul has desired to come to Rome to meet the congregation there. He was hindered by the extensive work of preaching the gospel in regions where it had not yet been proclaimed (vv. 20–21). Now there seems finally to be opportunity, on his journey to Spain, to visit Rome.
Yet first he must go to Jerusalem to deliver the proceeds of the collection gathered by other congregations in Greece for the needy church in Jerusalem (cf. 1 Cor. 16:1; 2 Cor. 8:19–20).
Formerly they received spiritual blessings from Jerusalem through the preaching of the gospel; now they may support her materially. Thus the churches of Christ share mutually in God’s blessings, both spiritual and material—a beautiful example of the true communion of saints of the true “catholic” church.
Is your financial contribution in the church a secondary matter?
Singing: Ps. 116:6, 7