1 CORINTHIANS 16
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
THE BIGGEST ANTI-CLIMAX IN THE BIBLE
Paul deals with a variety of issues in this letter to the Corinthians.
I once heard my first pastor, David Green, preach on these verses. He said that it seems such an anti climax, as we go from Paul teaching such amazing truths, to a subject that seems very mundane and dry.
Remember that at the time of the writing of the Bible, there were no chapter divisions.
There are some amazing things that we can learn from these verses.
Paul has talked for a full chapter on the resurrection of Jesus. He now shows one example of how this should be worked out. In the phrase “the first day of the week”, Paul is clearly linking the day Jesus rose from the dead, or the first day of the week, with the subject of giving.
There are always needs in Christ’s church; here there was a need in the church in Jerusalem, and so the believers have to make a conscious decision to put something aside.
I strongly believe in tithing, and I also believe in the blessings of first fruits. We give on the first day of the week, and put God first in our giving. He gets the first part and not the left overs. We need to make a conscious decision to put money aside. This means, not only have we to deny ourselves physically, but we have to deny ourselves financially, and put God first in our financial dealings and in our giving.
God will prosper you, but He prospers you, not to give you a bigger bank account, but to make you a better and bigger giver.
Jesus said store not up things for yourselves, but give. If you give like you should, then God will open the storehouses of heaven and pour out a blessing you can’t contain.
The apostle John said that if you know of a need and are able to meet it, how can you be truly saved?
But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
You see the need, you know the need, you can meet the need, but you decide not to; that is what it means to close or shut up the bowels of your compassion.
Have you ever done that?
I know I have, just being honest here. We need never to turn off our bowels of compassion. We do it because we want to; it is our conscious decision to do so, so let me ask this question.Isn’t God within His rights to stop His bowels of compassion to you?
We are to set aside money for a rainy day, but we are also to share generously and meet the needs of other believers. One of the distinguishing features of the early church was the difference between Barnabas and the hoarders of Acts 5.
Why is the church so powerless? Because we hoard for ourselves; it’s my money you cry. It’s not, it’s God’s.. amen.
Use it for His glory. Give with a generous heart and see what God will do Malachi Chapter 3.. amen.
God bless you,
KK
2 CORINTHIANS 8
We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints — 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
TRUE BIBLICAL GIVING
The churches of Macedonia weren’t rich in material things, but they sure were spiritually.
Let’s look at how they gave:
Vs 1. They gave because God’s love had been showed to them. Grace is undeserved favour and when you receive it, you will want to share it. Grace is meant to be shared.. amen. When showing grace, the other person may not deserve it, but you still give it.
Vs 2. They gave despite persecution. They were going through the mill, but had joy and that joy overflowed in their giving. Just because you are going through persecution, doesn’t mean you become inward looking.
Vs 3. They made sacrifices. They gave over and above what they had. They may have had to get rid of some object or possession that was precious to them. What precious object would you be willing to get rid of, to give generously? They didn’t have to be told! Some Christians have to be forced to part with money. Are you one of them?
Vs 4. There was a need and these believers were eager to meet that need. They actually begged Paul to let them be involved. How many believers beg to be put on the church’s stewardship programme? How many believers want to be involved in supporting the work of the gospel? Do you have the same attitude that these believers had?
Vs 5. Their first commitment was to the Lord and then to Paul, and therefore it was quite easy for them to part with their money. Where is our first commitment?
Remember God LOVES a cheerful giver!
Are you happy when you give to God’s work and God’s people?
God bless you,