The Challenge to Care
1 Corinthians 16:1-14
Introduction
In the concluding chapters of his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul has called us to answer the challenge to Serve, to Love, to Believe, and now to Care. It’s easy to see how the Corinthian church could struggle with caring about anyone but themselves. With the kinds of problems they experienced, most of them were the result of being self-centered and self-concerned. Paul ends his letter by calling them to care for others instead of being so focused on themselves. In verse 14 he returns to his major theme, “Let all that you do be done in love.” That should be our major theme as well. Not always easy, nor always the most natural reaction, but it is the most godly
choice.
One way Paul is going to encourage this is by getting to the root of their greatest interest - and often ours - he wants them to join in concern for others by donating funds. This always gets our attention - and it should. Jesus talked a lot about money and James told us that the love of money is the root of all evil. As we study this passage try to keep in mind that it is not all about fundraising - it is about applying the principle of love to our hearts and our bank accounts.
1 Corinthians 16:1-4, ESV
Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.
In this passage I see five ways that your contribution is an expression of care and love:
1. Love and Compassion for Those in Need
Paul writes about a collection. This is an action of unity and love - we do it together! We can accomplish more together than any one of us could do on our own. “Themes such as mutuality, hospitality, reciprocity of love and generosity run through the epistle.” (Johnson)
It is a collection for the saints. In particular for some of the poor saints at Jerusalem. In Acts 11:27 we read of an expected famine and of the intention of the churches to gather money for the brethren in Judea and Jerusalem … It appears that the church at Jerusalem was very poor so that even the Macedonian churches, which were not rich themselves, had to collect money for Jerusalem. (Grosheide) Hays: “One of the most important functions of this closing chapter is to remind the Corinthians that their church belongs to a wider network of communities… and that their life in Christ necessarily involves them in a mission that links them with the wider world.” Here Paul is urging a Gentile congregation to support a Jewish Christian community - this act of love and care will override ingrained prejudices - a powerful way to show unity and care.
When we offer our contribution to the church, we are expressing love and compassion for those in need both locally and internationally.
2. Gratitude for God’s Provision
Given the first day of every week. The collection is a part of a weekly gathering for Christians. The collection is an action of love that is directed by God and empowered by God’s provision!
We give from the abundance of God’s provision. We cannot give what we do not have. Whatever we have comes from God and we are grateful. James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.…” Whatever you give, it comes first from the Lord!
GRACE Giving: Giving Regularly as Christ Enables! (Hayford)
3. Care for the Church
Put something aside and store it up. The Jews had the requirement of a tithe and were used to setting aside part of their income for God. They grew up with tithes and offerings of various kinds. This is a new practice for the Gentiles, so Paul is specific. By giving consistently, the congregation stands ready to help and bless those in need - as well as cover the expenses. Forsythe: What a great example of this you were during the covid shutdown days. And when we needed to pay off a large debt. Your practice of generosity is a great example!
The entire church can participate in the contribution. Johnson: “Everyone, young and old, wealthy and poor, slave
and free, Jew and Gentile, male and female, educated and illiterate, can have a part.”
With your consistency comes the ability to put something aside and store it up for when it is needed. So don’t forget to make up when you miss a Sunday!
4. Discipleship
Giving is an expression of discipleship as we demonstrate being the hands and feet of Christ - an active love for others. This is to be regulated by prospering (“as he may prosper”). This makes us think about what we give - does it reflect our income? Someone has elaborated on Paul’s plea for benevolent giving in 1 Corinthians 16:2 by advising, “Give according to your income—lest God make your income according to your giving!” Removes comparisons, because everyone must make their own decision about giving.
This is to be retained for future use (“so that there will be no collecting when I come”). This seems natural to us, but was wisdom shared with the Corinthians. When the funds are needed, they will be there. In these ways, giving is a part of our discipleship to Jesus.
5. A Care for Intentional Integrity (3-4)
The desire that funds be handled with integrity is linked to loving Jesus and wanting to honor his name in all that we do. Paul gave them instructions to see that the money actually gets where it is intended to go. 2 Corinthians 8:21 AMPC “For we take thought beforehand and aim to be honest and absolutely above suspicion, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men.”
Conclusion:
Paul comes near the end of his letter with four short, terse admonitions that relate to everything he has written: (vs 13-14)
-Be watchful! Watch for the work of the Enemy and anyone who would lead you away from Jesus.
-Stand firm in the faith. Don’t fall away into sin, keep strong in the faith!
-Act like men, be strong (ESV) (NIV be courageous; be strong.) The emphasis is on courage and strength in living the Christian life with dedication. Many think Paul was thinking of Psalm 31:24, “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!”
- Let all that you do be done in love (1 Corinthians 16:14) This will restore every relationship. (Grosheide) Hays: This distills the message of the letter into a single sentence.
This is more than a list of instructions about the collection. The money given to the church serves a financial purpose on one hand. The contribution serves a purpose in our own hearts and habits.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
In the concluding chapters of his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul has called us to answer the challenge to Serve, to Love, to Believe, and to Care. Will you embrace those challenges today?
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Questions For Discussion
1. What is significant about the “first day of the week”? Is this day more special than others? Do you have any guidelines for how you spend the first day of the week - and how you deal with activities that compete with the assembly? Why is it sometimes easy to just miss the assembly?
2. Why can we be defensive when we hear a lesson on giving? What are the challenges we face when we decide what to give? What is the attitude we should have when we give?
3. Alan Johnson has suggested that the phrase “as he may prosper” “Eases the competitive spirit and puts all on an equal footing, something the Corinthians needed desperately.” Why might this release us from a competitive spirit when it comes to giving?
4. Do you believe the old adage, “God’s work, done in God’s way, will always have God’s supply”? Why or why not?
5. Later on, Paul told Timothy how to instruct the wealthier members of congregations under his charge. Read this instruction in 1 Timothy 6:17–19. What was to be their attitude toward their financial resources? How should they use their relative riches?
6. In 1 Corinthians 16:14 Paul gives a summary of his letter by saying: “Let all that you do be done in love.”
- What can we do to put our actions and words among fellow church members under this standard?
- What are some issues faced in Corinth that would disappear if this was followed?
- How would this impact our giving?
- How can we grow in obedience to this teaching?
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Resources
Fee, Gordon D. NICNT: The First Epistle to the Corinthians (revised). Eerdman’s 2014.
Grosheide, T. W. NICNT: First Epistle to the Corinthians. Eerdmans, 1953.
Hayford, Jack W. and Gary Curtis, Pathways to Pure Power: Learning the Depth of Love’s Power. Thomas Nelson, 1997.
Hays, Richard B. Interpretation: First Corinthians. John Knox Press, 1997.
Johnson, Alan F. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: 1 Corinthians. InterVarsity Press, 2004.
