Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.30 I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there, 32 so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed. 33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Paul is writing this as he is winding up his 3rd mission trip. He is going through all the churches in Macedonia and Achaia and collecting money and occasionally a representative from the church and this entourage and sum of money is heading to Jerusalem to help out the church there because as the Jews received Christ they would get kicked out of the synagogue and many would lose their jobs. The gentiles, who believed in multiple gods anyway probably didn't suffer persecution for their conversion. I remember talking to a Hindu mom and she had no problem if her child followed Jesus because He was a "good prophet" and would help her child socially to fit in here in the Bible belt. I imagine if a gentile said they were following Jesus; the response might have been "cool."
Paul has 2 concerns that he wants prayer for and that is that the church would accept the gift and for his safety because prophets have warned him not to go back to Jerusalem because he would be arrested. Some people are very good at accepting money others aren't. I would say I'm somewhere in between closer to the line of accepting. My wife is way on the other end, "Give that money back." The Jews didn't like the gentiles or at least were beginning the process of considering them humans, plus they were proud people because they were God's chosen. To receive a gift from a gentile dog or claim they needed help from Gentiles was something Paul was afraid might combust and all his work of collecting money and trying to bring Jews and Gentiles together might all be undone. The answer was going to be through mutual humbling. Paul told the gentiles that they owe their salvation to the Jews because through them came Christ and therefore be in debt to them. Likewise, the Jews were suffering financially, and the Gentiles could relieve that burden but that meant humbling to say you needed help from the Gentiles.
Don't you think that most of our interpersonal problems would be solved by humility and considering others more important than ourselves? So what if others take advantage or think they're better, they're not. You are a child of the king - find your confidence and worth in that.
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