A person who helps poor people succeed\par will get many blessings. {\cf2\super [256]} \par When trouble comes,\par the Lord will save that person.\par
The believers decided that they would all try to help their brothers and sisters who lived in Judea. Each believer planned to send them as much as he could.
But what answer did God give Elijah? God said, “I have kept for myself 7,000 men that still worship me. These 7,000 men have not given worship to Baal. {\cf2\super [120]} ” {\cf2\super [121]}
To the people that are weak, I became weak so that I could help save them. I have become all things to all people. I did this so that I could save people in any way possible.
I know that you want to help. I have been boasting about this to the people in Macedonia. I have told them that you people in Achaia were ready to give since last year. And your wanting to give has made most of the people here ready to give also.
My brothers and sisters, God called you to be free. But don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do the things that please your sinful selves. But serve each other with love.
When a person is in Christ Jesus, it is not important if he is circumcised or not. The important thing is faith—the kind of faith that works through love.
Brothers and sisters, a person in your group might do something wrong. You people who are spiritual should go to the person who is sinning. You should help to make him right again. You should do this in a gentle way. But be careful! You might be tempted to sin, too.
Let the teaching of Christ live inside you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
When we pray to God our Father we always thank him for the things you have done because of your faith. And we thank him for the work you have done because of your love. And we thank him that you continue to be strong because of your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Don’t forget those people in prison. Remember them like you are in prison with them. And don’t forget those people who are suffering. Remember them like you are suffering with them.
But encourage each other every day. Do this while it is “today. {\cf2\super [19]} ” Help each other so that none of you will become hardened because of sin and the way sin fools people.