Romans 15:22-29
Scripture: Romans 15:22-29 (ESV) “This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. But now, since I have no more place for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, I hope to see you in passing as I travel to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them this contribution, I will come by you to Spain. And I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.”
Devotion
As the book of Romans draws to a close, Paul starts reflecting on his mission. Here we see a man who has planned his entire life around his missionary work. We see an Apostle, doing the apostle thing – travelling around, spreading the news about Jesus, organising financial gifts, encouraging the church, and planning his next visit to strengthen the church.
But as we look at Paul’s words here, we start to see the mutual care with which the early church supported each other. Paul points out that now that the Gentiles have come into God’s family through Jesus, they have started sharing in the spiritual blessings the Jewish believers have always enjoyed. So now the Gentile churches are materially supporting particularly the church in Jerusalem with financial gifts. This shows us that the church has a duty to care for other parts of the church with the plenty we have.
This plays out in two different ways: one corporately, one privately.
In the corporate space, this shows us that churches as organizations have a responsibility to care for other churches and organizations engaged in gospel work. Perhaps your church supports a mission organization or two, maybe they sponsor mission workers, maybe you buy Bibles for and smuggle Bibles in to the persecuted church. That is a wonderful way of doing what Paul references here.
However, there is a personal application to this text too: we often enjoy the fruit of being part of a church community. We get pastoral support, we learn and grow in our spiritual knowledge, we experience the joys of others using their spiritual gifts in teaching, serving and training. But we can do experience all this fruit without contributing back, without giving what we have back to others. The local church then becomes a place where we consume the products the church produces. We take but forget to give.
Paul’s words challenge this consumerist mindset. The Gentiles’ debt to the Jerusalem saints mirrors our own situation. Just as they shared spiritual wealth, we are called to share our material blessings, our time, and our skill.
How are you giving back?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help us embrace the fullness of community, recognizing the gifts we have received and the gifts we are called to give. Teach us to be rivers of generosity, not reservoirs of self-interest. Guide our hands and hearts to support one another, that we might reflect the unity and love Christ showed. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Spiritual Challenge
Today, find a way to contribute—whether through time, resources, or talent—to your community. Let your actions be a tangible expression of gratitude for the spiritual blessings you’ve enjoyed. Reflect on how you can be a part of the ongoing exchange of support that strengthens the bonds of your spiritual family.