2 Corinthians 8:16

2 Corinthians 8:16 says, But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.  Paul thanked God for Titus, who had an earnest caring for the Corinthians as did Paul.  We should always thank God that we are not alone in our working for Him.  Verse seventeen adds, For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.  Titus was not sent by anyone else but went to the Corinthians because he felt called to do so.  We today do not have to wait for some person or group to send us to minister to others but should do so as God directs us.  Verse eighteen continues, And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;  Paul said that even though Titus began on his own that now Paul was sending him with a brother to spread the gospel.  Even if we begin a work on our own under God's leadership, we still should be open to others helping us and even working through us to accomplish God's will.  Verse nineteen states, And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:  Here, Paul said that Titus was chosen by the churches to travel with them by God's grace.  Paul and Titus were working for the glory of the same Lord.  We should work together with all other followers of Christ for the glory of God.  Verse twenty adds, Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:  I don't believe that Paul was saying that Titus and he and those with him had an abundance of material things themselves.  They did have an abundance of faith, and any material abundance they had was passed on to the less fortunate believers.  Verse twenty-one continues, Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.  Paul said the church at Corinth, which is a group of people and not a building, were honest, not only with God, but with those they had dealings with.  We cannot claim to be honest with God and cheat anyone.  Verse twenty-two says, And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.  Paul was possibly referring to Apollos, though he doesn't identify him by name.  Whoever he was, he was a fellow worker for Christ.  Even if we are not named, we need to be known as faithful workers for Christ by our fellow believers.  Verse twenty-three adds, Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.  Paul was basically vouching for Titus and those that were at work for Christ with him.  Paul did not place himself above these others, because the were all messengers of the churches for the glory of God.  No one Christian today is above any other if we are living up to our particular calling.  Verse twenty-four concludes, Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.  Paul asked the Corinthian church to show to those being sent to them the proof of their love that Paul had boasted about.  We need to be the type congregation today that other Christians can boast about, or hold up as, a great example of a faithful church.