Thursday, August 8 - 1 Corinthians 16

1 Corinthians 16

New International Version (NIV)

The Collection for the Lord’s People

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 encourages a regular and intentional plan of giving to the Lord's work.  He also commends the Corinthians to reach beyond themselves (to the Jerusalem church) and to do so with proper safeguards so that the resources properly get to their intended location.

 

Giving beyond oneself is an important part of Christian growth.  Such giving, as Paul has described throughout the book, includes one's talents, time and treasure.  In which of these areas might God be calling you to take a step of faith for your own spiritual growth?  What talents do you bring to God's Church?  How can you meaningfully volunteer to carry out God's work?   How can your financial resources best be used to glorify God?

Personal Requests

⁵ After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia. ⁶ Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. ⁷ For 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. ⁸ But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, ⁹ because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.
¹⁰ When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. ¹¹ No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.
¹² Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.
¹³ Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. ¹⁴ Do everything in love.
¹⁵ You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, ¹⁶ to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. ¹⁷ I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. ¹⁸ For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.

Paul urges the Corinthians to also honor other spiritual leaders in their midst -- to keep them safe, to hear their words, and to respond in faithful service.  Personalities were not to overshadow the message.  Instead, the Good News was to be heard from many sources and was to be heard as if from God Himself.

In today's churches, too often people permit themselves to get wrapped up on the messenger rather than the message.  We need to be careful that we not let personalities, gifts, and idiosyncrasies color our ability to hear God's message to us.
 

Final Greetings

¹⁹ The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla^[a] greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house. ²⁰ All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
²¹ I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.
²² If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be cursed! Come, Lord!
²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
²⁴ My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Paul displays his belief that God's people in various locations are joined together by their common faith.  Hence, when we reach out to bless ministries throughout the world, we are not just assisting "those people over there."  We are working together with other members of our "family of faith" to bring the Gospel to people everywhere.