I. The Setting
A. Paul had just finished teaching on the glory of the resurrection and the rapture of the church.
He had spoken to them about the glories of heaven.
He then proceeds to speak about money.
This whole chapter really grows out of the 58th verse of Chapter 15, where Paul is exhorting us to be “always abounding in the work of the Lord.”
Out of that come the themes of Chapter 16, including giving, because giving is one way you can “abound in the work of the Lord.”
This would seem anti-climatic to many, and even out of place.
But it is in place.
Alan Redpath- “A Christian is a man whose heart is in heaven, but whose feet are on the ground.”
Wiersbe- “Doctrine and duty go together; so do worship and works. Our giving is not in vain, because our Lord is alive. It is His resurrection power that motivates us to give and serve.”
The Setting
The Corinthians had written to Paul concerning money that he was gathering for some needy Christians. It was a relief offering for needy Christians in Jerusalem.
1 Cor. 16:1a Now concerning the collection for the saints,
Paul was responding to a question that they had written to him.
There was great financial and material poverty in Jerusalem as this time.
We know that from both secular history and from the N.T.
Acts 11:27-30 27And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Romans 15:25-26 25But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 26For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.
This section deals specifically about a relief fund to needy saints.
It deals more generally with the truths about a Christian and his money.
We will approach this section and discover general truths about our handling of money, and our giving to God.
This is not a comprehensive study on giving to the Lord.
There is much more we could say.
We will cover a portion of what the Bible says about a Christian and his money.
I. Giving To God Involves All Christians Vs. 1, 2
1 Cor. 16:1 1Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also:
1 Cor. 16:2a On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside,
All the churches were directed in giving to the need of the saints.
They were universally directed to follow this command.
II. Done Systematically
1 Cor. 16:2a On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside,
It was to be done regularly.
It was to be done not on impulse, but by planning and purpose.
III. According To What One Has
1 Cor. 16:2b …storing up as he may prosper,…
A. Christian Not Under Legalism
The Jews were required to give 10% to the Lord.
The N.T. has no such command for the Christian.
B. Particulars About Giving
1. The Christians is to give cheerfully and willingly to God.
They are to give as they are able, and as they desire.
2 Cor. 9:6,7 6But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
Giving to God should be done with thanksgiving, and with an understanding of how appropriate it is.
Romans 12:1 1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
NLT Rom. 12:1- 1And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?
Wiersbe- “An open heart cannot maintain a closed hand. If we appreciate the grace of God extended to us, we will want express that grace by sharing with others.”
2. How Much should one give?
I personally believe that 10% is a good place to start.
But there is no N.T. commandment that states this.
For some people, 10% is a lot, and very difficult.
For others, 10% would not be missed.
There are some who could give away 50% of their income, and still live very comfortably.
Jesus pointed out a widow that gave very little, but taught that she had given more than those who has offered more money.
She gave more b/c she gave out of her want.
She gave sacrificially.
The amount isn’t important.
The motive is.
3. Some Christians are able to give 25%, or 50% of their income.
They may have much more money than they need to live.
They should give more than those who are unable to give such a large percentage of their resources.
God hasn’t blessed you so you can live lavishly and hedonistically.
4. Many American Christians get themselves in a trap.
They don’t pray about their finances.
They get themselves deep into debt.
They spend money in ways that aren’t really necessary.
They adopt the view of the world around them.
They believe they need to have and do certain things, b/c everyone around them is living a certain lifestyle.
They find themselves unable to give an appropriate amount to God.
a. We can take our extra money and try to improve our lifestyle beyond what we really need.
b. We can achieve an appropriate lifestyle, and invest our extra money into God’s Kingdom.
c. Mathew 6:19,20 19“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
d. Some Christians end up storing up treasures on earth, instead of treasures in heaven.
That isn’t their intention, but b/c of carelessness, that is the result.
However, it does reveal where the heart is.
It may be an unconscious love for things, but it is still there.
C. We Should Not be Afraid To Give
Proverbs 11:24,25 24 There is one who scatters, yet increases more;
And there is one who withholds more than is right,
But it leads to poverty.
25 The generous soul will be made rich,
And he who waters will also be watered himself.
IV. Not Emotional, But Spiritual
1 Cor 16:2c … that there be no collections when I come.
Giving Is An Act Of Worship Turn to Philippians 4:14-19
A. Giving Is Pleasing To God Philippians 4:18
B. God Will Supply Our Needs Philippians 4:19
C. God Recognizes and Rewards Philippians 4:17
D. Giving Should Not Result From Manipulation
Paul did not want to have to “take up a collection” when he arrived.
He was willing to do whatever needed to be done.
He would rather that the people were moved by the realization of what was right before the Lord.
We should never allow ourselves to be moved by the manipulation of man.
We should be motivated by the truth of God.
V. Done Responsibly
1 Cor 16:3 3And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem.
Paul invited them to be a part of the responsible care of the finances.
They were to approve of those men that would deliver the gift.
Paul was very careful about the handling of this gift
Turn to 2 Cor. 8:16-24
By your giving here, you are (hopefully) saying that you trust this church, me, this Board of Directors in the dispensing of the money that is given to for the work of the Lord.
VI. Done With Flexibility
1 Cor 16:4 4But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.
Paul sought to maintain integrity with this financial gift.
Whatever would keep him above reproach would be the course that he would follow.
We should all handle our finances with great integrity.
Our failings with money can be a great opportunity for the world to criticize Jesus Christ and the church.
It can also be an occasion for our downfall.
1 Timothy 6:6-10 6Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.