Romans 1:11-12: Giving & Recieving
I love how open Paul is about his own needs and weaknesses in his writings. You can see it again here very clearly. We usually only talk about him wanting to impart some spiritual gift to the Roman Christians, and then proceed to argue about what he meant by that.
But when you see that statement in it's context, you see that he was expecting and wanting his arrival in Rome to result in MUTUAL encouragement! No Man of God who needs nothing from the peons but their money here!
Instead Paul wants to bless them, knowing that he'll be blessed by them in return. If nothing else, just seeing them grow would be a huge encouragement to Paul, as it is to all Pastors and Teachers. And I'm sure they in turn would be working hard to bless him in other ways as well.
In the church, ALL giving involves receiving, otherwise how can people be blessed through their giving. Paul allows and encourages people to give to him, so that through that giving they will be blessed as well. Mutual ministry is an Apostolic concept we need to practice in our churches today.
Created almost 3 years ago
