Church in the City – 1st Corinthians 16
A Generous People
December 8, 2024
1 Corinthians 16:1-3 NIV
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.”
Our giving should be planned.
v.2 – “On the first day of every week …”
Proverbs 3:9-10 NIV
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
We give our first and best because we’re thankful.
We give our first and best because we’re trusting.
Our giving should be generous.
v.2 – “you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up,”
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NIV
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Our giving should be accountable.
v.3a I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve.
This offering would have been converted to high value coins, hidden in their clothes and personally transported through countries where robbery was a threat every mile of the way.
Our giving should be for the greater good
v.3b “… and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.”
We must surrender control of our giving in order for the most people to be helped
Prosperous Greeks were giving to struggling Jews.
Corinthians were giving to people they would never meet living in a place they would never visit.
Very few of us can buy apartment complexes for homeless moms, but together we can!
Very few of us can operate state of the art medical clinics, but together we can!
Very few of us can plant churches around the world by ourselves, but together we can!
1 Corinthians 16:5-7 NIV
“After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you — for I will be going through Macedonia. 6 Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.
Church is not about passing visits.
Church is where we linger in unhurried conversations.
Church is where we check on one another, strengthen one another, and belong to one another.
