Four Reasons Why Partnerships Stall, Slow, or Stop Alogether

The Apostle Paul shared his expectations with the church in Corinth:

Now concerning the ministry to the saints, it is unnecessary for me to write to you. For I know your eagerness, and I boast about you to the Macedonians, “Achaia has been ready since last year,” and your zeal has stirred up most of them. But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you in this matter would not prove empty, and so that you would be ready just as I said. Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we, not to mention you, would be put to shame in that situation. Therefore I considered it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance the generous gift you promised, so that it will be ready as a gift and not as an extortion. (2 Cor. 9:1-5, CSB)

Paul took precautions to make sure that the Corinthians were prepared before his arrival, because it would be embarrassing if they were not ready when he "boasted" of their eagerness and readiness. The situation could have weakened confidence in their commitments and potentially caused distrust among the fellowship of churches. After all, people who are already sacrificially living have "skin in the game" and they do not have time for others to make false promises. And so, Paul plans accordingly. He not only plans; he sends people with the plans.