Giving Beyond Your Four Walls!

16 Now about the collection for the Lord’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 your 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.

Paul gives us some great insights into how each church had a duty to care for those outside of their own church.  In this case it was the church in Jerusalem which went through a family and also had a large number of widows to provide for.  Paul outlines several principles which can guide us today as we look to be benevolent to those outside our four walls. 

1. Give systematically.  In this case Paul teaches them to set aside a certain amount on Sunday, which was the first day of the week and also when the early church met for worship, often in homes.  

2. Give.  Paul says "EACH ONE", meaning everybody was to participate in giving. Though giving should never be done under obligation or guilt, it is clear that each of us is called to give financially to others.  

3. Give proportionally.  Paul instructs them to give according to their means.  Paul doesn't want them to give irrationally but responsibly according to what they can afford.  

Sometimes the church doesn't teach enough about giving.  As we give generously we can not only fund the mission in our local churches, but we can also give beyond our four walls.  This is a great witness to the love of Christ being offered in a very tangible way.