It caught Paul off guard. Completely! It was the heart and soul of these early Christian who gave even when they didn’t have it. Read it:

     "They gave offerings of whatever they could---far more than they could afford!---pleading for the privilege of helping out in the relief of poor Christians.This was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us completely off guard." (2 Corinthians 8:3-5 NIV)

     The Minister’s Relief Fund was established for this same purpose, to bring relief to those who serve Christ throughout the world and their families. What blessing comes to those who are suffering and receive support just in their time of need! The opportunity is always before us to help others, but especially to help those who have dedicated and committed themselves in the ministry of our Lord. Yes, we are all ministers. But those who have accepted a special call on their lives are also subject to some of the greatest needs we can have.

     The Minister’s Relief Fund is like the Macedonian Fund long ago. It is for people like you and me to reach out with prayers and financial support to bring that needed relief to those Christians in ministry. Our prayer is that people will say today as Paul did centuries ago, “This was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us completely off guard."