ABOUT THE COLLECTION
1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Introduction
A. What a contrast! Paul turns from the subject of the resurrection to the subject of a collection.
B. We are to lay up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).
1. People, not things, go to heaven. We are to give to help, and to save, people.
2. Our giving will put our heart in the work of God.
I. The Reason for This Collection.
A. We must stay in the context of the Scripture.
1. This was a gift to poor Christians in Jerusalem. (v. 3).
2. Those in Corinth had evidently known about this special offering for some time.
B. Paul wanted this collection to be one of love and unity.
1. Jewish Christians would be receiving an offering from a Gentile church.
2. This would emphasize unity and concern.
II. The Instructions Concerning This Collection.
A. This was a special offering but there are teachings here that apply to Christian giving in general.
1. “on the first day of every week” (v. 2).
a. They did meet on Sunday, the Lord’s day.
b. Their giving was a part of their worship service.
c. They were to give regularly.
2. “each one of you” (v. 2).
a. We are all to be givers.
b. We can all give something. The widow gave two small coins and Jesus approved because she gave out of her poverty (Mark 12:41-44).
3. “in keeping with his income” (v. 2).
a. This was proportionate giving.
b. What proportion did they give? Every ancient culture knew the principle of the tithe.
B. Paul was concerned about accountability (vv. 3-4).
1. The gift was to be presented by men they approved. He would write letters of introduction.
2. He was willing to take the gift and have these men accompany him.
Conclusion
A. A study of the parable of the good Samaritan should convince us of the expectations of Jesus concerning our giving (Luke 10:25-37).
B. God is the great giver (John 3:16). As children of God, we should strive to be like our heavenly father.
Illustrations
We are taught that we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-8). The Christian should give attention to giving in areas where he or she has need of a crop. Do you need friends? Then sow friendship. Do you need help? Then be helpful. We all seem to need money. Let’s sow money in our giving and trust God.
In the area of sowing and reaping, it becomes certain that we have to sow if we want to reap. Keeping a field clean and bare will not produce a harvest unless we actually sow. Are you sowing to spiritual things? Keeping the weeds out of the field will not automatically bring a harvest anymore than not doing some things will make a person a Christian. Sowing for eternal life starts with making Jesus our Savior.
