On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

1 Corinthians 16

On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. 1 Corinthians 16:2

I resume my study of 1 Corinthians, moving on to an assisted review of 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary volume for this book.  From the commentary for this text:

Main idea: "Giving will always be a part of the church’s worship, and it should follow some specific guidelines."

Key excerpts from the introduction: "[I]t is refreshing to note that with all the flaws and foibles of the Corinthian church, it was a generous church....We know from another letter that Paul wrote that this collection was for the poor and suffering among the Jewish Christian brothers and sisters in Jerusalem (Romans 15:26)....In several solid and practical ways, Paul gives us a model that shows how Christians should be financially faithful to the church and how the church should be forensically faithful in managing what is given."

Divisions per the commentary:

1. We Should Give with Sincere Dedication (16:1):"[T]he church in Jerusalem was in the middle of a great economic depression. They were having to minister to thousands of new converts who had come to Christ, and many of them were in desperate need of financial help. Well aware of this, Paul had sent out a communiqué to several Gentile churches he had founded, asking them to help their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem. Everyone knew what this offering was to be dedicated to; it had a specific purpose. These Corinthian Christians, then, were motivated by a love for and a brokenness over their Jerusalem brothers and sisters. They eagerly agreed to give to this offering because they realized Christianity is a team sport and everyone is on the same team."
2. We Should Give to a Specific Destination (16:2a): "When you worship, you give your voice in exaltation as you praise the character of God. You give your ear in concentration as you listen to the Word of God. You give your mind in meditation as you think about the things of God. You give your heart in adoration as you bask in the love of God. Surely we should also bring our offerings in commemoration as we remember the goodness of God. This is not to be understood as saying that all giving should only be given to any specific church, but I do believe this passage suggests the first financial gifts we give to God should be to the work of the church."
   
3. We Should Give with Steadfast Determination (16:2a): "Paul makes it plain that everybody should give something to this offering. There is no room for exemptions, exceptions, or excuses....The best way to give, though it may certainly be supplemented with spontaneous offerings, is systematically. We should give with a steadfast determination to give as often as our income is refreshed or we have an unexpected inflow of money."
   
4. We Should Give with Studied Deliberation (16:2b)."Therefore, our lives as those he has redeemed should be lived in gratitude for all that God has given to us and done for us."
5. We Should Give with Sober Discrimination (16:3-4): "place. In other words, the money was not only to be given in the church, to the church, and for the church, it was to be managed by the church. It is incumbent on those of us who give money to God’s work to do everything possible to make sure that dollars given toward his work are always used correctly, properly, and wisely."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who provides for all needs - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You provide.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

1 Corinthians 16

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do.  On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.  1 Corinthians 16:1-2

I resume my study of 1 Corinthians, moving on to an assisted review of 1 Corinthians 16:1-4.  In light of v1, it's important to see what Paul spoke to Galatia.  There are at least two places in Galatians where Paul spoke of giving, including giving to the poor (Galatians 2:10) and to do good (implied to help) "especially to those who are of the household of faith" (the church) (Galatians 6:10).  This giving is to be done regularly (every week per v2). Giving is also discussed in 2 Corinthians 9 where Paul once again seeks to help the poor and give to the church. This giving is out of an overflowing of love for God and for the church - we are to be cheerful givers, not to give out of compulsion.  Attached to this giving is a promise where believers are "enriched in every way to be generous" (v11). 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who provides for all needs - physical needs, emotional needs and spiritual needs - thank You God for giving abundantly.  I am not deserving of such blessings, including how Your mercies are new every morning and never ceasing.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

“Since the people began to bring their contributions to the temple of the Lord, we have had enough to eat and plenty to spare, because the Lord has blessed his people, and this great amount is left over.”

2 Chronicles 31

“Since the people began to bring their contributions to the temple of the Lord, we have had enough to eat and plenty to spare, because the Lord has blessed his people, and this great amount is left over.” v10

Hezekiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord (2 Chronicles 29) and led all the people back to God, promising God's grace and compassion for those who turn back to God (2 Chronicles 30). Hezekiah then led the people to contribute to worship (2 Chronicles 31).

In verses 5-10 we see people giving generously which implies a great amount of obedience and trust - trust that God will provide.  This trust is often difficult for me as I often worry about my ability to provide.  

God please help me trust in You that You can and will provide for all of my needs.

Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. Psalm 16:5

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You DO provide for all of my needs and I have never been in want.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love as I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

[E]veryone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments.

Exodus 35

[E]veryone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. v21

God wants us to be a cheerful giver - He commands us to tithe, yet we are to be cheerful as we do it because God is concerned about our heart condition not just our actions.  Note how in this chapter of Exodus it is stressed:

"All who were willing" v22
"All the Israelite men and women who were willing" v29

In the Old Testament, "freewill offering" is mentioned 22 times.

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

It is the same thing in our relationship with Jesus: we are invited into a relationship with Him but we must accept this invitation and then submit to Him, in the same way He willingly laid down His life for us.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who willingly laid down Your life for me so that I would have victory over sin and death - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love as I am selfish and I have other sin that continues.  Please forgive me and help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message today and every day.

It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.

3 John 1

It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth. v7-8

There are many who go out in the mission field to spread the Good News of Jesus.  We are to support these people, financially, emotionally, through prayer, etc.  

Paul writes to the church in Corinth about how we should "excel in this grace of giving":


And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.  In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 2 Corinthians 8:1-7

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of love, mercy, compassion and patience for me...and You bless me in many more ways than this!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such blessing - I worry too much.  Please forgive me.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. v19

On the heels of expressing his thanks to the Philippians for providing him so generously, Paul encourages the Philippians with the above words.  I am mindful of other verses in this context.

God wants us to be a cheerful giver as posted here and that we are not to worry as posted here.

My Prayer: Lord, You are a God of infinite abundance and You promise believers a life of abundance...all that You ask is for belief and faith in Jesus Christ.  Yet sometimes I worry...Lord please forgive me for such worry and thank You that You have provided so generously.  I have never lacked nor will I ever lack as long as I trust and have faith in You.  Help me turn from my worry and lack of trust and towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.