There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the Lord’s people. For I know your eagerness to help.
II Corinthians 9:1-2
Last year we had the opportunity to send funds for our brothers in Athens, Greece to help provide food and necessities for those who had lost their jobs because of massive unemployment. We pooled our money and helped as much as we could. Other churches joined in and our brothers and sisters in Greece were able to eat, even if it wasn’t as much as needed.
Our brothers in Athens are still suffering from unemployment is the economy of Greece which still struggles. 95% of our brothers and sister are unemployed. The local church is struggling to keep everybody feed. We want to help where it is possible.
Paul wants the Corinthians to remember that “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
“Our return in blessings will be proportionate to what we sow. Let our works of charity be therefore done with thought and prayer, rather than by accident, giving cheerfully, not grudgingly, being glad we have ability and opportunity to be charitable. God loveth a cheerful giver, therefore no man can be the loser by doing that with which God is pleased for He is able to make His grace the more abundant toward us.” (Comment on II Corinthians)
Harriett and I will travel to Athens in March. I will be teaching three classes at The Athens International Biblical Institute. We will see firsthand how our funds are being used and how great the need is. I just received an email from Dino Tzanetes our missionary in Athens. He says that I should bring vitamins because many in the church are undernourished.
The need is great and we have the opportunity to help. Sunday morning, March 2 we plan to pass the basket for a second time. All the funds collected will be sent to our brothers and sisters in Athens. They can buy food for their families because we have given freely.
I pray that we all will plan to give generously on this special day for our brethren in Greece.