I Corinthians 16
Church Talk – A Study of I and II Corinthians
Pastor Brandon Ball
08/23/2023
(Preface)
The Collection for the Saints
1 Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2 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. 3 And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.
Plans for Travel
5 I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, 6 and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
10 When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am. 11 So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers. —1 Corinthians 16:1–11 (ESV)The first thing we see is generous giving is normative behavior of the church.
- Concerning the collection for the saints.
- Directed the “churches” in Galatian (not singular)
We know the churches in Macedonian were also generous givers.
Encouragement to Give Generously
*1* 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. —2 Corinthians 8:1–2 (ESV)Three points regarding a generous church:
1. Christian Generosity is Not Effected by Personal
Encouragement to Give Generously
1 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. —2 Corinthians 8:1–2 (ESV)A spiritually mature church consists of members who give generously of their own volition. There is no need to nudge or manipulate because there is an eagerness toward generosity.
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— —2 Corinthians 8:3–4 (ESV)
Contained in this verse are three key words used by Paul in relation to the collection:
(a) Favour (charis) is used to show that the Macedonians regarded the opportunity to contribute as a favour or privilege. They evidently understood the truth of Jesus’ words, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’ (Acts 20:35).
(b) Taking part (koinōnia) indicates that their involvement was seen as participation in a larger entity, i.e. an ‘ecumenical’ act of compassion.
(c) Relief renders the Greek word diakonia, and its use here reflects the fact that contributing to the collection was viewed as Christian ‘ministry’. This was a ministry in which the Philippian church at least was involved over a long period of time (Phil. 4:14–20).
I believe we see two levels of giving here: first tithing (“according to their means”) and second general offering (“and beyond their means”).
- In both instances, personal circumstances didn’t dictate their level of generosity.
The generous church is made up of people who understand that everything they earn or have belongs to the Lord.
10 For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. —Psalm 50:10 (ESV)
12 “If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine. —Psalm 50:12 (ESV)
These generous church members understand that God is the
, and they are the . The Cheerful Giver
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. —2 Corinthians 9:6–8 (ESV)Divine Supply and Benefits of Generosity
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. —2 Corinthians 9:10–12 (ESV)
2. Christian Generosity is a Reflection of Relational
“Relational intimacy with whom?” – relational intimacy with Christ.
5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. —2 Corinthians 8:5 (ESV)
I don’t believe you can reach such a level of generosity until you fully give yourself to the Lord.
And whether we like it or not, how we steward money is indicative of our
with God. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. —Matthew 6:21 (ESV)
3. Christian Generosity does not
8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. 10 And in this matter, I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. 11 So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. —2 Corinthians 8:8–11 (ESV)
24 So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men. —2 Corinthians 8:24 (ESV)
Consistent financial generosity is
that God’s dwells insides of us.
4. Christian Generosity is a
6 Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. 7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. —2 Corinthians 8:6–7 (ESV)
“As you excel in everything.”
- Faith
- Speech
- Knowledge
- “…in all earnestness, and in our love for you – see that you excel in this act of grace also”.
Generosity is an act of grace that Christians are called to excel in.
I believe this journey begins at the first level of giving (returning), and that is the tithe.
8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts. —Malachi 3:8–12 (ESV)
Tithing is normative behavior of those who believe in God.
- Tithing predated the law (Abraham returned tithe to Melchizedek)
- Tithing existed during the law
Tithing postdated the law
23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. —Matthew 23:23 (ESV)
8 Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. —Hebrews 7:8 (NKJV)
The second level of giving is general offerings and I believe there is a third level that involves extravagant offerings.
But I believe that it is only after one “tests” the Lord and witnesses the curse being broken and the windows of heaven opened that he/she begins excelling at the next level (general offerings) and finally to the third level (extravagant offerings).
Examples of extravagant offerings:
The women who anointed Jesus’ feet in Bethany
Alabaster box containing fragrant ointment worth one year’s wages.
The Widow’s Offering
*41* And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” —Mark 12:41–44 (ESV)
Notes: