Daily Bread 2011 - 1 Corinthians 16
Daily Bread 2011 – 1 Corinthians 16
The Collection for God’s People
1 Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On 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. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.
What Does This Mean?
In this last chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul turns to practical matters. One of his missions was to collect money from each of the churches that he had planted, in order to help the church in Jerusalem because they were struggling financially. This is where Paul calls to mind the principle of setting aside a certain amount of money in keeping with their income, on a weekly basis. You’ll notice he does not teach a strict “tithe”, as would be the case in the Old Testament.
Paul says the purpose of this systematic way of giving is so that “when I come no collections would have to be made.” Paul wanted to avoid the embarrassment of having to try and raise a bunch of money on a moment’s notice, so he introduces these principles of giving for God’s people.
What Does This Mean For Us?
Paul will teach again on this topic in 2 Corinthians, but his teaching reminds us that giving is part of our walk with Christ and obedience to Him. Specifically, as we give, we are taking a collection for God’s people, whether that is the people of the local church you attend, or benevolences that go outside the local church, both globally and nationally. By setting aside an amount of money for the church at Jerusalem, Paul is also introducing to them that the church is bigger than just the local church you attend.
There is really one church on earth made up of all who believe in Jesus Christ. Unfortunately denominationalism has often split up the church into many factions. But in the early church there were no denominations, though they did have to fight divisions over people following certain personalities rather than Christ.
Paul also teaches the principle of setting aside a certain amount of money in keeping with one’s income. For some tithing (giving 10% of your income) could be virtually impossible, for others it may be a drop in the bucket due to a sizeable income. Paul advocates giving an amount in keeping with one’s income. Of course the tithe is still a good goal for most, but should not be seen legalistically as everyone’s situation differs. The key New Testament principles are to give systematically (weekly), generously; cheerfully (for God loves a cheerful giver), and for the good of the church of God in Jesus Christ. In hard economic times like the ones we face, this is challenge but God will reward your faithfulness in ways you might not even imagine.
Dear God thank you for the indescribable riches we have been given in Christ. Help us to be generous with the resources we have been given so that we can aid the spiritual growth of all of God’s people, Amen.
The Collection for God’s People
1 Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On 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. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.
What Does This Mean?
In this last chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul turns to practical matters. One of his missions was to collect money from each of the churches that he had planted, in order to help the church in Jerusalem because they were struggling financially. This is where Paul calls to mind the principle of setting aside a certain amount of money in keeping with their income, on a weekly basis. You’ll notice he does not teach a strict “tithe”, as would be the case in the Old Testament.
Paul says the purpose of this systematic way of giving is so that “when I come no collections would have to be made.” Paul wanted to avoid the embarrassment of having to try and raise a bunch of money on a moment’s notice, so he introduces these principles of giving for God’s people.
What Does This Mean For Us?
Paul will teach again on this topic in 2 Corinthians, but his teaching reminds us that giving is part of our walk with Christ and obedience to Him. Specifically, as we give, we are taking a collection for God’s people, whether that is the people of the local church you attend, or benevolences that go outside the local church, both globally and nationally. By setting aside an amount of money for the church at Jerusalem, Paul is also introducing to them that the church is bigger than just the local church you attend.
There is really one church on earth made up of all who believe in Jesus Christ. Unfortunately denominationalism has often split up the church into many factions. But in the early church there were no denominations, though they did have to fight divisions over people following certain personalities rather than Christ.
Paul also teaches the principle of setting aside a certain amount of money in keeping with one’s income. For some tithing (giving 10% of your income) could be virtually impossible, for others it may be a drop in the bucket due to a sizeable income. Paul advocates giving an amount in keeping with one’s income. Of course the tithe is still a good goal for most, but should not be seen legalistically as everyone’s situation differs. The key New Testament principles are to give systematically (weekly), generously; cheerfully (for God loves a cheerful giver), and for the good of the church of God in Jesus Christ. In hard economic times like the ones we face, this is challenge but God will reward your faithfulness in ways you might not even imagine.
Dear God thank you for the indescribable riches we have been given in Christ. Help us to be generous with the resources we have been given so that we can aid the spiritual growth of all of God’s people, Amen.
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