In God's Word by Mike Mills, Sept 27th

September 27, 2016 - This week we look at the book of 2 Corinthians at the special assignment given to Titus by the Apostle Paul.

The church at Corinth had pledged a certain amount of money to Paul for the needy in the church in Jerusalem. They had pledged, but not delivered, and Paul is trying to get them to hold true to their word as he had used them as an example of generous giving to get other churches to help to supply funds for the needy in Jerusalem.

Since they have refused to honor their pledge Paul decides to send Titus to Corinth to persuade the Corinthians to honor their word to him.

The following scriptures answer any questions the Corinthians may have concerning the authority and authenticity of Titus to speak on Paul's behalf.

"Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I am not ashamed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting to Titus was found true." (2 Cor. 7:13-14)

"So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well." "But thanks be to God who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus." "If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren are inquired about, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ." 2 Cor. 8:6,16,23) "I urged Titus and sent our Brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?" (2 Cor 12:18)

While Paul was the "senior pastor" for the gospel of Christ, he needed helpers. Pastors today are no different, they too need helpers, people who will help labor together with God.

Paul used Titus on many special assignment trips, some of which had been to Corinth and Titus had worked well with the Corinthians and had comforted them. He was the natural choice to send to try and collect their debts owed to Paul's ministry.

The Lord put into Titus the same earnest care which Paul had. He excepted Paul's exhortation, but, of his own accord, went to Corinth. While he couldn't force the church members to give, he could state the urgent need and make an earnest appeal for their support. What Titus did sprang from his heart of love for the Lord's cause.

Neither Paul, Titus, nor any other leader used his position for personal gain among the Corinthians. Paul even labored as a tent maker while he was among them so no one could think he was charging his needs to them.

God-called ministers, like Paul and Titus, have a woe ringing in their hearts when they fail to preach the gospel and those who preach the gospel are to live by the gospel. 

Paul and Titus both showed that willingness to live what they preached, that was their special assignment for the Lord.