There had been a famine at Jerusalem, and Paul knew that many of the Christians had been scattered abroad and that those who remained would be likely to be deprived of human sympathy and exposed to religious enmity. Therefore he exhorted the churches to send pecuniary assistance to their brethren in Jerusalem. The amount raised by the churches exceeded the expectation of the apostles. Constrained by the love of Christ, the believers gave liberally, and they were filled with joy because they should thus express their gratitude to the Redeemer and their love for the brethren. This is the true basis of charity according to God’s word. {6T 271.4}

Der havde været en hungersnød i Jerusalem og Paulus vidste, at mange af de kristne var blevet spredt viden om og at de, der blev igen, sandsynligvis ville være berøvet menneskelig sympati og være udsatte for religiøst fjendskab. Derfor opmuntrede han menighederne til at sende økonomisk hjælp til brødrene i Jerusalem. Det beløb, menighederne indsamlede, oversteg apostlenes forventning. Drevne af Kristi kærlighed gav de troende rigeligt og de var fulde af glæde over således at kunne give udtryk for deres taknemmelighed til (272) Genløseren og deres kærlighed til brødrene. Dette er det sande grundlag for godgørenhed ifølge Guds ord.