“Now Concerning The Collection”
“NOW CONCERNING THE COLLECTION”
1 CORINTHIANS 16:1-4
Are our Sunday offerings regular, sacrificial and a real part of our worship?
A dominating influence on Paul’s missionary life and service was the fulfilling of a promise he had made at Jerusalem (Galatians 2:10). He recalls the promise, offering some guidance as to the way in which the money was to be gathered in so that there would not be any “last minute rush to get subscriptions in” (Moffatt) when he visits Corinth. Why did Paul give so much importance to this fund by which Gentile churches promised financial help to the “saints” at Jerusalem?
Once the money is brought in, plans are in train to send it to Jerusalem (16:3-4), and we know from Acts 24:17 that Paul did accompany these messengers whom the churches appointed to carry the gifts (2 Corinthians 8:23). The apostle has in mind the claim laid upon Jews of the Dispersion. Every male Jew over the age of twenty years was required to contribute towards the maintenance of the temple and its services. The money as a temple tax was collected at various centers and taken by responsible agents to the holy city.
16:2 is set in this context which sheds welcome light on the early Christian attitude to stewardship. Three principles may be detected.