Acts 11:29
Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judæa: Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judæa:
The verse concerns a time of famine and need among the brethren in Jerusalem and Judea. The coming need was a great dearth throughout all the world, signified by the Spirit through Agabus. In response the disciples determined that every man according to his ability would send relief to the brethren in Judea. They carried out that determination by sending the relief to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Those who planned the collection expected only a small sum for the needy saints and presented the necessity before the Lord in prayer. The Macedonian believers shared what they had with the suffering saints in Jerusalem even though they themselves were in exceeding poverty and affliction. Moved by the Spirit of God, they first consecrated themselves to God and then gave all they had as a privilege and an expression of trust in God, contributing cheerfully without urging or compulsion and importuning the apostles to receive the contribution and carry it to the afflicted saints.
Where they had no money they denied themselves food and clothing and lived with less so that others could be fed. This work was set before the Corinthian brethren as a special work.