The Fullness of His Blessing

At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
Romans 15:25-29
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The Fullness of His Blessing
The purpose of the Church is to preach the Word faithfully and administer the sacraments properly. Everything else the Church does is secondary to that. But because those obligations are secondary does not mean that they are unimportant or that they can be ignored. We are called to support one another in every need. Here, Paul is undertaking this great task as he has overseen a collection of money for believers in Jerusalem and is on his way there to deliver it. We have been given an ongoing obligation to love others, and by God’s work in Christ, we have become part of the community of God’s people and share the blessings He gives to His people. And those blessings are not to be hoarded and kept to ourselves. The Gospel gives all the fullness we need; still, Paul’s presence in Rome will be an added source of fellowship and encouragement, just as our giving of our time, talents, and treasures to fellow believers in need adds a source of fellowship and encouragement to them in our time. And no matter in what way we give, we always give Christ and His cross. It is only there where we find the fullness of His blessing.