16:1-2

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In the last chapter we could practically hear the last trumpet sound as Christ wins the final battle, defeats death, clothes us with immortality, and takes us home.

Against that backdrop, Paul’s switch to the topic of giving money seems rather abrupt. But Chapter 15 concluded with “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (v. 58). This money topic is an application of that.

I admit I don’t often think about Christians across the country or across the world. We are family, but I don’t know them, pray for them, or concern myself with their needs on a regular basis. At a practical level, I’m not loving them the same way I love the brothers and sisters I regularly fellowship with online or person.

But once in a while big calamities occur: Church shootings. Massive fires. Persecution. Terrorism. Flooding. Local government stifling religious freedom. When I become aware of those events, my heart softens toward those distant spiritual family members. My prayers and my actions change.

Imagine how much more difficult it was to actively love distant believers at the time 1 Corinthians was written, when travel was by foot and when news spread only mouth-to-ear.

That is what Paul here is encouraging. These gentile Corinthian Christians need to show practical love to their suffering Jewish Christian brothers, as the next verse shows...

16:3

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Jerusalem was about a 3 month journey from Corinth (~1200 miles).

Significant problems plagued the Jerusalem church at that time. The book of Acts tells us that Jerusalem itself was experiencing a great famine. On top of that, terrible persecution against the Jerusalem church had broken out at the time of Stephen’s death. This famine and persecution forced wealthier Jewish Christians to leave their homeland.

Poorer Christians stayed behind because they couldn’t afford to flee. The result: The church in Jerusalem became a church of the impoverished and persecuted. It lost its resources, was reduced to poverty, and became dependent on distant Gentile Christians for sustenance.

It’s understandable, then, why Paul spends a good bit of time here and in his writings to other churches encouraging Christians to be faithful in their giving – which he calls “the collection for the saints” (v.1) and which would be carried “to Jerusalem” (v.3).

1 Corinthians 16 has nothing to do with tithing. Nor is it related to dropping a few bucks in a Sunday collection plate. It’s about actively loving and meeting the needs of other Christians.

Paul no doubt had a special passion for that church’s needs since he, as a fanatic and zealous Jew, had persecuted the Jerusalem church (Acts 7:55-60; Acts 9:1-2) before an encounter with Jesus gave him new life (Acts 9:3-22).

Campaigning to assist the Jerusalem church became a regular part of his ministry.
• In Romans 15:25 he wrote “but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints.”
• And in Acts 24:17 - written just a couple of years after 1 Corinthians - he said “after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings.”
• See also Acts 11:27-30, Romans 15:14-43, Romans 15:26-31, 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15, Galatians 2:7-10

He also encouraged generosity to all people – Christian or pagan, Jewish or Gentile (see Galatians 6:10). But Paul’s focus was primarily on the Jerusalem church.

16:3-4

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There are a few principles in this chapter that the modern church should take to heart regarding money:
1. Giving is the responsibility of everyone as he or she is able (that’s the meaning of v.1, “as he may prosper”).

2. The collection was for a clearly defined purpose, not for a “general fund.” In this case it was allocated to help a struggling church.

3. Giving was planned ahead of time. Read v.2 very carefully: “On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.” He didn’t tell church to take up a collection on the first day of the week. He told each individual to put money aside on the first day of each week. That money would be collected when he arrived. This required deliberate savings for the work of God by each person.

4. Giving like this demonstrates that we are one universal church. [Note that in v. 1 that he taught the same things to the Galatian church].

5. Accountability is critical. Paul took great care to build accountability into everything so that no one could wonder about foul play. The givers chose the men who would deliver the money. They would either travel with Paul or he would send letters with them so that the receiving church would accept them.

16:5-24

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These closing verse tell us much about how early Christians made decisions:

(VV.5 and 8): Paul had some definite, short-range plans. He would be going to Macedonia and Corinth and Ephesus

(VV.6-7) He left flexibility in his plans and relied on God’s direction, such as how long he’d stay in Corinth

(V.7) He relied on God’s direction for the details

(V.9) His primary desires was for whatever option provided the greatest evangelistic opportunity – even though plagued by adversaries. This, by the way, resulted in the incredible events of Acts 19!

(Vv.10-19) He ensured that when he was not present, the church was prepared for others to minister to them such as Timothy (who was not naturally confident or bold as he was), Apollos (whom the church knew well), and Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus

The point here is that ministers – which every one of us is – seek opportunities to minister, follow God’s leading in special situations, and actively support other ministers in their ministry.