Monday, September 23, 2024
Several men were traveling with [Paul]. They were Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea; Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica; Gaius from Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. They went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. After the Passover ended, we boarded a ship at Philippi in Macedonia and five days later joined them in Troas, where we stayed a week.
Paul has collected a traveling party of godly men who are representatives of churches that were made up primarily of Gentiles. The goal of this entourage was to take a donation from Gentile churches to bless the Jewish brothers and sisters in Jerusalem. The donation was to help relieve the poverty of these brothers and sisters and unite the worldwide fellowship of believers.* This was a gift of love, collected from believers, and managed by a group of respected men so that there would never be a question of mishandling funds or of impropriety in administrating this wonderful gift of love, grace, and fellowship. This example is a challenge to our congregations in the West that have access to greater funds — a challenge to awaken them to the needs and opportunities to bless our brothers and sisters where financial struggles are difficult to overcome and ministry is hampered by a lack of funding. May we be willing to help those in need knowing that God is able to make grace abound through our generous and wise giving.
* See the Related Scripture Readings.
O Father, open our hearts to be generous with our brothers and sisters in need wherever they may be. At the same time, Lord, we ask for wisdom not to make other churches or groups dependent on outside support to survive. Open our hearts and inform our minds as we seek to honor you with hearts that are generous like yours. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
![Illustration of Acts 20:4-6 NLT — Several men were traveling with [Paul]. They were Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea; Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica; Gaius from Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. They went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. After the Passover ended, we boarded a ship at Philippi in Macedonia and five days later joined them in Troas, where we stayed a week.](https://img.heartlight.org/overlazy/creations/23796.jpg "Illustration of Acts 20:4-6 NLT — Several men were traveling with [Paul]. They were Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea; Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica; Gaius from Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. They went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. After the Passover ended, we boarded a ship at Philippi in Macedonia and five days later joined them in Troas, where we stayed a week.")
Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.
Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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