Paul’s Order for Giving
“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.” (1 Cor. 16:1-2, NKJV)
Paul was inspired by the Spirit to instruct the Christians at Corinth about laying up in store. Please note just who it is that gives to; and who it is that receives from the church treasury; it is “from saints; for saints.” Paul’s command supplies a divine way of taking care of the poor saints. But more than that; it is a way of expressing our love for God. Our obedience to his command gives the glory to God. (2Cor. 8:8) We prove the sincerity of our love for God. Our greatest reason for giving must be in response to God’s order to give; to know that unless we obey there will be consequences.
“God is the giver of every good and perfect gift.” (James 1:17) Whatever God supplies; whatever we give; and whatever we have left; all are of God. Ours is not ours; but God’s! What single blessing do we have that God didn’t supply? Be a good steward! The contributions are personal; Paul said, “Each one of you.”
Members of the church at Corinth were obliged to the local congregation at Corinth. To the Corinthians he uses the example of the Galatians; to the Macedonians the example of the Corinthians; to the Romans that of the Macedonians and Corinthians. Each member of each local congregation in Galatia was obliged to support their local work; under the direction of the elders of that local congregation; likewise at Corinth; likewise at East End in Lexington. “So you are also to do.”
Our laying by in store is to be done on a weekly basis; every 1st day of every week. Every Lords Day brings the duty to every Christian to give. Every week that a Christian is prospered; is the week he must give accordingly; not according as he may attend. A truly faithful Christian will see to it that his gift reaches the church treasury. If a father must be away from home, will he not see that his family is supported while he is gone? How else can the work of the Lord go on unless each Christian deeply feels the responsibility to give as prospered? God’s plan is weekly because the needs of the church are weekly.
