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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - 1 Corinthians 16:1 - 16:4
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Concluding Admonitions.
Regarding the collection for Jerusalem:
v. 1. Now, concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
v. 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.
v. 3. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
v. 4. And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.
That God is by no means indifferent to the manner in which the business end of a congregation's work is carried on is seen from this paragraph. While Paul was on his third missionary journey, he was busily engaged with the task of collecting money for the poor brethren at Jerusalem, as the references in his letters show, Gal_2:10; 2Co_8:1-24; 2Co_9:1-15; Rom_15:25-26. It was the apostle's ambition to bring a rich thank-offering from the Christians of the heathen lands to the congregation at Jerusalem. And so he here reminds the Corinthians of this "collection" which was being made for the saints. On his journey of visitation through Southern Galatia, Act_18:23, a short time before, he had given orders to the congregations of that section, he had set the matter before them and secured their willing assent to the plan. And this same plan he wanted the Corinthians involved in, his urgent words indicate.
The apostle's plan was: On every first of the week let each of you by himself lay up a definite sum (making a store of it), whatever he has been prospered in, in accordance with his income, so that the collection may not have to be made when I come. We have here the earliest mention of the Christian Sunday as an appropriate day for deeds of charity, though not the exclusive day for church services, and not set aside by divine appointment. Every one of the Christians was to take part in this work of charity, as the context shows, every one that had an income of his own in any form; the apostle did not confine his instructions to the adult men. There was no compulsion in any form, but the obligation was all the more emphatic for a willing offering. Each one should decide the amount for himself, as his heart told him that he could afford it; and the size of his gift should be measured by the blessing which God has given him in his work or business. In this way a Lord's treasure would accumulate in time, and the total amount should be paid over when Paul came. By assenting to this plan, the Corinthians would avoid the necessity of making collections upon Paul's arrival, since there might be difficulty about raising a large amount of money suddenly, aside from the fact that Paul preferred to devote his time to the matters of his teaching office. Note: Regular, systematic giving according to this plan of Paul has the sanction of the Lord Himself, and has been found to be the most effective method of raising funds for the Lord's work.
Paul's plan included also such care of the money collected as would remove all reason for suspicion. He wanted the congregation at Corinth to elect delegates from their midst, approved men, trusted brethren, and to furnish these men with the proper credentials. All that would be necessary for Paul to do, then, after his arrival, was to direct these men, to send them to Jerusalem, as the bearers of the alms, with the letter of recommendation. And his interest in this important matter did not stop there, but if it should appear to be worthwhile for him to journey along with them, he intended to do so. There is a hint here that Paul does not care to associate himself with a small and mean charity; the amount must be large enough to warrant his participating in the matter. This was not pride, but a just estimate of the Lord's business. Note: Since we are only stewards of God's gifts, it is necessary for us always to keep in mind that our contributions for any object named in the Bible must be in proportion to the prosperity which His goodness has granted us. Miserliness in the business of the Church and in true charity will react unfavorably upon the covetous person.
Christian Giving
Until a few years ago this subject was broached in many congregations only with fear and trembling, because, for some reason or other, it was not considered proper to think and speak of the business of the congregation as such, due to an agitation which was inaugurated chiefly by the members of the congregations themselves, the prevalent idea of an onerous duty has been replaced in most communities by that of a cherished privilege. Just as the pastors are the stewards of the mysteries of God and are expected, in the name of Jesus and in the stead of the congregations, to dispense freely from the unlimited treasures of God's grace, so all church-member, being stewards of the goodness of God and holding their property in trust for the Lord, are investing the property entrusted to them in the interest of the Owner and are realizing rich returns.
For such Christian giving the believers have the very best reasons. They have before them the example of such as have given evidence of their readiness and willingness to invest their money for the Lord. 2Co_9:1-2. It always gives a Christian an unpleasant feeling to find out that others have preceded him in some work in which he, by virtue of his discipleship, feels an interest, whether it is a matter in his own congregation or one concerning the Church at large. And if this willingness has been seconded by a zeal which carried his intention into cheerful execution, if it is a willingness not of the mouth merely, but of the hand as well, then its influence is bound to be all the greater. 2Co_8:1-5. The report that some small and comparatively poor congregation has done more in proportion than one that is large and wealthy cannot but act as a spur to all laggards. The ideal condition would be that mutual zeal would act as a mutual provocation to give evidence of the proper spirit and lore to the Lord.
Another reason which impels Christians to give according to ability, especially where their charity toward the poor and needy is appealed to, is the fact that the recipients will have the actual benefit of the gifts. Moneys collected for purposes of charity, to give assistance to fellow-Christians or to outsiders, especially if the matter is attended to as carefully as the collection for the brethren in Jerusalem undertaken by Paul, will provide for actual needs and will not bring luxuries. But the prayers of those benefited will rise to the throne of grace in behalf of the donors and that certainty will act as an additional spur to all Christians that are able to help and do not make their charities a matter of dead routine. Then there is also the certainty of an increase of fellowship which accompanies proper and milling giving. The hearts of the recipients and the donors are united with one another in a communion of love which is bound to redound to the advantage of all.
But the final and the most impressive reason for Christian giving is the remembrance of the love of Christ which was shown us in the entire work of redemption. If a Christian realizes the unspeakable folly, wickedness, and guilt of sin; if lie actually has some idea of the fact that he deserved God's wrath and displeasure, temporal death, and eternal damnation, by reason of his sins; if he then contemplates that wonderful, unselfish devotion which prompted God to give His only-begotten Son into death for his sake, then all feeling of avarice and all love of self is dismissed and eradicated, to make place for a cheerful and free demonstration of charitable affection toward his neighbor, 2Co_8:8-9.
So far as the method in Christian giving is concerned, the Word of God does not lay a commandment upon the believers of the New Testament. But the advice of the apostle with regard to systematic giving is certainly worth the profoundest contemplation, if not an outright heeding, 1Co_16:1-2. His suggestion to give regularly and systematically, if possible, every Sunday, has been found so valuable in actual practice that few congregations would want to return to a different method of gathering funds for their own households as well as for outside purposes. The haphazard methods followed in some quarters, according to which every member has his own time for contributing funds for the various treasuries inside and outside of the congregation, is not to be recommended even from the standpoint of human experience and nature. Paul's advice was inspired advice and has proved its value in every way.
As to the mode and manner of giving, finally, the suggestions of St. Paul to the Corinthians are also well worth heeding. He urges that everyone give what he can, as the Lord has prospered him, 1Co_16:2. It is the feeling that all the gifts of this life are evidences of God's goodness and unmerited love which should impel a Christian to give as well as to determine the amount which he invests for the Lord, Pro_19:1-29; Pro_17:1-28. This is brought out still more strongly by the admonition that everyone give according as he purposes in his heart, what his heart, under the influence of the love of Christ, thinks will be the proper and adequate amount. A gift that is not made with cordial willingness defeats its own ends so far as the approval of the Lord is concerned. It is for this reason that St. Paul adds: Not grudgingly or of necessity; the feeling as though he were being robbed, as though extortion were being practiced on him, must not be found in a Christian's heart, if the collections are made in the spirit which the apostle here advocates. A Christian acting under the constraint of the reasons given by the apostle will be glad to scatter his gifts with a free hand, letting no feeling of miserliness govern any of his actions, for God loveth a cheerful giver, 2Co_9:7