Christ and returned with material possessions
Christ and returned with material possessions of the saints' love. This was the result of Paul's ministry.
The spirituality of many Christians today is too impractical. They say, "I am for Christ and I will bring Christ everywhere, but I don't care for money or for material possessions." If you say this, it may mean that your spirituality is imprac tical. Consider the example of the Apostle Paul. He went to Achaia and Macedonia, ministering Christ to the people. What was the outcome of this? The outcome was that the Gentile believers contributed their own material possessions to care for their ex-enemies, their Jewish brothers in Christ. After the Gentiles had been converted, regenerated, sanctified, and transformed, their old heart had been removed, and a new heart had been implanted, a heart of concern for their Jewish brothers. They expressed this concern in a practical way by giving material things. They did not say, "Paul, we stand with you, we go with you, and our prayer follows you. Send our greet ings to the dear saints in the Holy Land." Paul exemplified the practical church life by going with Christ and returning with material pos sessions. This is the genuine communication in love and practical expression of concern.