Daily Bread 1 Corinthians 16
Daily Bread
1 Corinthians 16
The Collection for God's People
1Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.
Observation:
Paul concludes his first letter to the Corinthians with some practical advice regarding the offering for the Church. As you can see there was at this time no segregation between churches. Paul urges the church here in Corinth to aid and take an offering for the church in Jerusalem, which had some significant financial needs. Paul also references the church in Ephesus, Macedonia (Philippi) and Galatia. This was the network of churches Paul had started and was writing to help the common cause.
In advising them in regard to this offering, Paul advises them to set aside a certain amount of money each Sunday (first day of the week) in keeping up with their income. When the collections were made men would be sent to the church with a letter from Paul accompanying them. Unlike today these travels were dangerous and there was persecution for the church which only increased toward the end of century. We see this when Paul says, “If Timothy comes make sure he has nothing to fear.”
So we here that the church was a very loosely organized group so far. But there was a strong sense of oneness and purpose as shown in each church’s desire to help each other out when they were in need. Paul himself is living on the edge waiting for God’s Spirit to guide him each day where he is to go or not go, not knowing what will befall him in each place he visits.
Application:
As we seek to be a church that will be relevant and “missional” as we go into the 21st, I think we will have to look a lot more like the 1st century church to be effective. United in purpose and not distracted by issues that keep our focus off the Great Commission, the church of the future will be led by those who like Paul, focus on the big picture of how God is working to bring His kingdom here on earth as it is on heaven.
Today mainline denominations are focused more on social issues, which often divide us, then on what unites us, a love for Christ and a desire to make His love known. God is ahead of us and has a plan to reach the world with His great love. He will use whoever is willing to lay down their lives like Paul to reach a world (and sometimes a church) that is dominated by materialism, moral relativism, and political correctness. God is looking for courageous leaders who will be bold in their witness and clear with their convictions.
Let us remember what Paul told the church in Corinth in closing his first century letter of encouragement to this key church, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Prayer: God give us courage to lead the church and be faithful and firm in our faith, carrying out your purposes with courage and love. Unify us through our desire to make your love known and help us not to be distracted by things that will divide us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
1 Corinthians 16
The Collection for God's People
1Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.
Observation:
Paul concludes his first letter to the Corinthians with some practical advice regarding the offering for the Church. As you can see there was at this time no segregation between churches. Paul urges the church here in Corinth to aid and take an offering for the church in Jerusalem, which had some significant financial needs. Paul also references the church in Ephesus, Macedonia (Philippi) and Galatia. This was the network of churches Paul had started and was writing to help the common cause.
In advising them in regard to this offering, Paul advises them to set aside a certain amount of money each Sunday (first day of the week) in keeping up with their income. When the collections were made men would be sent to the church with a letter from Paul accompanying them. Unlike today these travels were dangerous and there was persecution for the church which only increased toward the end of century. We see this when Paul says, “If Timothy comes make sure he has nothing to fear.”
So we here that the church was a very loosely organized group so far. But there was a strong sense of oneness and purpose as shown in each church’s desire to help each other out when they were in need. Paul himself is living on the edge waiting for God’s Spirit to guide him each day where he is to go or not go, not knowing what will befall him in each place he visits.
Application:
As we seek to be a church that will be relevant and “missional” as we go into the 21st, I think we will have to look a lot more like the 1st century church to be effective. United in purpose and not distracted by issues that keep our focus off the Great Commission, the church of the future will be led by those who like Paul, focus on the big picture of how God is working to bring His kingdom here on earth as it is on heaven.
Today mainline denominations are focused more on social issues, which often divide us, then on what unites us, a love for Christ and a desire to make His love known. God is ahead of us and has a plan to reach the world with His great love. He will use whoever is willing to lay down their lives like Paul to reach a world (and sometimes a church) that is dominated by materialism, moral relativism, and political correctness. God is looking for courageous leaders who will be bold in their witness and clear with their convictions.
Let us remember what Paul told the church in Corinth in closing his first century letter of encouragement to this key church, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Prayer: God give us courage to lead the church and be faithful and firm in our faith, carrying out your purposes with courage and love. Unify us through our desire to make your love known and help us not to be distracted by things that will divide us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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