Chronos - 1 Corinthians 16 Series

This week we finish our series called Chronos. A term which means time. We have decided to study the scriptures this year in the order they were published. It gives us a very unique insight into the early church and the struggles of a growing movement. This review of history is important because The Center’s leadership believes we are on the cuspid of a great awakening in America. An awakening that will challenge the status quo of the current Christian industrial complex. An institution more concerned with Attendance, Buildings and Cash than the Gospel, Grace and Growth of the kingdom.

This week we also continue in the book of the first Corinthians. It’s another book written by Paul around 25 years after Jesus' earthly ministry. Corinth is the original sin city. It was a transitional city and as such there was a lot of anonymity. As a Coastal town people were always coming and going. Some for vacation, most for business. The community was know for their worship of the goddess of sex. They had one of the largest temples devoted to her and the idea of fertility. You can see why when you called somebody a corinthian back then, you were saying they were living without morality. After his 1 ½ years planting the church, Paul left behind Apollos who was an amazing preacher/teacher and yet, we can see from this book the people still had questions. The immorality of the culture was so rampant that Paul had to address everything from why church potlucks should not turn into drunken frat parties and worship of the one true God should not look like a kids first birthday party at a chuck e cheese restaurant.

Last Sunday, we discussed our belief in life everlasting through the conversion of our earthly bodies to heavenly ones along with the hope that brings. Now Paul slips on his pastoral hat to speak to recap the solution to the issues affecting the unity of the body. Let’s take a listen.

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.

Isn’t it nice to know that the earliest of churches had questions about generosity? This is the second place Paul mentions sharing of resources in this letter. He talks about earlier in chapter nine to qualify why leaders who share the gospel in word and deed, could demand compensation but why he doesn’t. He said in 9:17, “If I do this voluntarily, I get rewarded for it.”, meaning it is an act of obedience to His commitment to Jesus. He shares this same sentiment in colossians 3:17 when he encourages the believers there to remember their commitment:

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

In our piece of scripture, Paul is letting this church plant know that when they gather it's a best practice to take a collection for those less fortunate. Our encouragement is seen as:

an act of love for others.

part of our commitment to one another.

a percentage so everyone has an equal part in the mission.

We collect each week online and at the back of the church because we know mature believers understand:

Giving is an act of worship - our offerings are “spiritual sacrifices” presented to the king

Giving is communal - the importance of giving “first” to the mission of God we are on together declares our commitment to one another.

Giving should be systematic - Paul didn’t want the act of giving to be a weekly plea. By his request for the offering to be already collected when the courier arrived, he was trying to eliminate the uncomfortableness of a plea. It’s the reason we only mention the giving box on occasion.

Giving is personal - your giving is between you and God. He knows if your heart is generous or stingy. He sees your financial picture. He understands.

Giving is proportionate - jewish converts would have been familiar with the tithe or 10% but didn’t mention any special percentage. In my mind, giving should be sacrificial. That is, the amount given should require a trust in his ability to care for my needs. Notice I said needs not wants.

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