a. Paul was very concerned about these Judean brethren. Antioch had sent relief to them by Barnabas and Saul. [Acts 11:27-30 (NKJV) And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30 This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.]

b. This assistance from Antioch did not permanently relieve the need. On his 3rd missionary journey, Paul was busy fund-raising for the needy saints [1 Corinthians 16:1-4 (NKJV) Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. 3 And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. 4 But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.]

c. Members of the churches of Macedonia had responded very generously to Paul's appeal [2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (NKJV) Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.]

d. The Corinthians had readily agreed to help, but they had not yet followed through with their pledge [2 Corinthians 8:6-11 (NKJV) So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as you abound in everything; in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us; see that you abound in this grace also. 8 I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. 10 And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; 11 but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have.]

a. Reminded them of the shining example of the Macedonians [2 Corinthians 8:1-5]

b. Praised them for their other accomplishments [2 Corinthians 8:7 (NKJV) But as you abound in everything; in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us; see that you abound in this grace also.]

c. Challenged them to prove the sincerity of their love [2 Corinthians 8:8 (NKJV) I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others.]

d. Reminded them of what Christ had given them [2 Corinthians 8:9 (NKJV) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.]

e. Reassured them tht he did not mean for them to be in want because they had given everything away [2 Corinthians 8:13-14 (NKJV) For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; 14 but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack; that there may be equality.]

f. Assured them of the honesty of the men handling the money [2 Corinthians 8:18-23 (NKJV) And we have sent with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches, 19 and not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord Himself and to show your ready mind, 20 avoiding this: that anyone should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us; 21 providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. 22 And we have sent with them our brother whom we have often proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, because of the great confidence which we have in you. 23 If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren are inquired about, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.]

g. Appealed to their pride [2 Corinthians 8:24-9:2 (NKJV) Therefore show to them, and before the churches the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf. 1 Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you; 2 for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority.]

h. Shamed them for their failure [2 Corinthians 9:3-5 (NKJV) Yet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this respect, that, as I said, you may be ready; 4 lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this confident boasting. 5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation.]

i. Promised God's reward for liberal givers [2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NKJV) But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.]

j. Reminded them of the gratitude of the saints who would receive the gift [2 Corinthians 9:14 (NKJV) and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.]

k. Taught them that giving is a means of praising and thanking God [2 Corinthians 9:12-15 (NKJV) For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, 14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!]

1. Saul didn't procrastinate when he needed to arise and be baptized [Acts 22:16 (NKJV) 'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'; Acts 9:18 (NKJV) Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.]

2. Ethiopian eunuch didn't procrastinate [Acts 8:36-38 (NKJV) Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" 37 Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." 38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.]

3. The Philippian jailer didn't procrastinate [Acts 16:33 (NKJV) And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.]

1. Mark 16:15-16 (NKJV) And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

2. 2 Timothy 2:2 (NKJV) And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

1. Galatians 6:10 (NKJV) Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

2. Matthew 25:34-40 (NKJV) "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 'for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 'I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 'When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 'Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' 40 "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'

1. Talking about Christ and His church

2. Inviting people to worship

3. Offering study opportunities

4. Boosting our Bible school

1. 1,001 opportunities to give a cup of water in the name of Christ [Mark 9:41 (NKJV) "For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.]

2. We are filled with good intentions, but we must SEE the way to SERVE and step in RIGHT THEN and do what is needed.

a. Like the other bad habits, it must be broken by disciplined effort.

b. Resolve: "I'm not going to be a procrastinator anymore" and stick to the resolution!