“the very thing I was eager to do”

We have completed the first 2 weeks of the NewThru30, and it has been incredible. I am so excited to be beginning Luke today. I am also already looking forward to this wednesday night when we get to here from everyone what they are getting out of reading the Bible. I am so encouraged by how many of us are on pace and reading so much of God’s Word.

Last week in Galatians, I was challenged by 2:10.

“Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.”

Chapter 2 of Galatians is Paul telling how he finally is accepted by the Apostles. There had been some hesitation and reluctancy due to Paul’s former life. However, when James and Peter and John (who Paul called pillars) “gave the right hand of fellowship” to him and Barnabas, all seemed to be different and well. 

But then he makes this great statement, “they asked us to remember the poor.”  James, Peter, and John asked them. The pillars asked them this. The inner circle of Jesus’ 12 disciples.  The 3 that were taken up on the mount to see the transfiguration of Jesus. The three that knew our Lord the closest asked Paul to remember the poor. Wow!

And then Paul writes “the very thing I was eager to do.” Jesus undoubtedly had a heart for the poor. The 3 pillars, James, Peter, and John, had a heart for the poor. And Paul also had a heart for the poor.

Do you have a heart for the poor? And how are you going about it? It seems to me that every follower of Christ must have an attention and affection for the poor. Reading the whole New Testament so quickly has only confirmed this. 

To not be mindful and deliberate with the poor is to be unbiblical.