REFRESHING MEN. Three men who were willing; what more could you ask? Three men left home to bring help to the apostle; that was what he needed. Three men who could put themselves in the shoes of another; we still need that kind of people. Three men who didn’t expect others to do what they could do; they had compassion for the saints. Three men who were willing to speak words of comfort; how refreshing such conversations are. Three men who knew what to talk about for the greatest benefit; their interest reached to the spirit of Paul. Three men who were able on their return, to warm the spirits of the cold hearted; Corinth needed them. Three men who knew the value of service to others; what one had learned he passed to the other two. Three men who had a right to the respect of all; acknowledged as to who they and by what they did. Three men who could be trusted; they filled in the blank spaces that were left. Three men who stand out in a crowd; they’ve been there and done that. Three men whose names are hard to say but whose hearts are soft; we need men like that today. Three men that ventured beyond their comforts; who of us will go to visit the laborers in the field?
Even though Paul knew he had to severe with the Corinthian believers, he wanted to assure them of his love for them. True, spiritual Christian love does not always mean we have to make people feel good about themselves. It means that when we see a need that others may not see, we are willing to step up, and by the power of God and guidance of the Holy Spirit, deal with the matters that have to be faced in the name and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is no favor to anyone to let potential problems and the danger of sin taking root, to be overlooked.
Many assemblies of God’s people have been preserved from departure and disintegration by the Spirit of God having the apostle Paul write this letter to them and to “all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.” Unity, faith and love in an assembly are far more important than skilled leaders and teachers who have all the answers but do not know the problems or are unwilling to face them and deal with them. Finances: Giving to God in the Assembly.