Acts 20:17-38

In Acts, Paul says: "Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, who said, 'There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.'"

This passage contains a speech given by Paul before he travels to Jerusalem with the collection he has taken up for the poor there. In this speech Paul defends his ministry, because he knows he will face criticism once he reaches Jerusalem. The apostles in Jerusalem are unhappy with his outreach to the Gentiles, because he has not required Gentile converts to be circumcised or to keep the basic dietary restrictions of Jewish law (see Acts 15).

Paul is bringing a collection from the Gentile churches because he intends to keep his promise to do so, which was given in return for support for his ministry among the Gentiles by James, the brother of Jesus, and Peter, the church leaders in Jerusalem. (Galatians 2) It is Paul's way of trying to shame the apostles in Jerusalem into supporting his ministry to the Gentiles, as its leaders pledged they would. So, he tells the Gentile members of the churches he has organized, they will be blessed for giving to help the church in Jerusalem. Perhaps he means not only that God will bless them, but that the church in Jerusalem may cease to press Gentile converts to submit to Jewish law.

Grace and peace...Bob