Difference between revisions of "1 Corinthians 16"
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===Collections (v. 1-4)=== | ===Collections (v. 1-4)=== | ||
| − | The word for collection is λογειας which refers to | + | We are going to spend a little time today talking about giving. Before we begin it should be made clear that we strongly believe in giving to the church. The church is the vehicle through which God has chosen to work in this dispensation. Nothing in this lesson is intended to challenge the importance of giving but rather to help people see that we should be generously giving. |
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| + | *Have you ever been told that you should plan a weekly tithe based upon 1 Corinthians 16:1-4? | ||
| + | **At least some individuals have had this passage used as a proof text. This author remembers a time when he was told that the Bible, in 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, commands us to set aside our tithe weekly. | ||
| + | |||
| + | I am not saying it is a bad idea to set aside money on a weekly basis, or at every pay period, but we must be careful to use the Bible accurately. For many people I fear that a weekly tithe becomes an excuse to only give 10% when in reality they could give much more abundantly. In fact, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 clearly shows that we should be giving abundantly. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The word for collection in 1 Corinthians 16:1 is λογειας which refers to a a particular collection for a particular purpose. In other words, this is not the word that we would use for a recurring tax or recurring obligation but instead for a specific collection to meet a need. | ||
| + | |||
| + | As an aside, you might also notice that this passage talks about Sunday. This is one of the earliest attestations to the early Church using Sunday as the primary day instead of the Jewish Sabbath. | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Regular offerings are important and we should not reject the idea of giving regularly simply because this passage may not refer to regular giving. The Old Testament pattern was regular giving. What other New Testament passages deal with offering? | ||
| + | **Mark 12:41-44 | ||
| + | **Matthew 6:20 | ||
| + | **1 Timothy 5:17-18 | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | What can we take from this? | ||
| + | **Giving to the church is an important part of the Christian life. If ten percent works for you then do that, if 20% works for you then do that. No matter what you should make sure that you are giving out of the blessings with which you have been blessed. Secondly, as was the case in 1 Cor. 16, there may be instances where you need to give more. There may be special projects, needs, etc. and in those circumstances you should be ready and willing to give above and beyond. | ||
=Closing= | =Closing= | ||
Revision as of 19:28, 13 August 2018
Contents
Objectives
Opening
Main Body
The Risen Christ
Collections (v. 1-4)
We are going to spend a little time today talking about giving. Before we begin it should be made clear that we strongly believe in giving to the church. The church is the vehicle through which God has chosen to work in this dispensation. Nothing in this lesson is intended to challenge the importance of giving but rather to help people see that we should be generously giving.
- Have you ever been told that you should plan a weekly tithe based upon 1 Corinthians 16:1-4?
- At least some individuals have had this passage used as a proof text. This author remembers a time when he was told that the Bible, in 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, commands us to set aside our tithe weekly.
I am not saying it is a bad idea to set aside money on a weekly basis, or at every pay period, but we must be careful to use the Bible accurately. For many people I fear that a weekly tithe becomes an excuse to only give 10% when in reality they could give much more abundantly. In fact, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 clearly shows that we should be giving abundantly.
The word for collection in 1 Corinthians 16:1 is λογειας which refers to a a particular collection for a particular purpose. In other words, this is not the word that we would use for a recurring tax or recurring obligation but instead for a specific collection to meet a need.
As an aside, you might also notice that this passage talks about Sunday. This is one of the earliest attestations to the early Church using Sunday as the primary day instead of the Jewish Sabbath.
- Regular offerings are important and we should not reject the idea of giving regularly simply because this passage may not refer to regular giving. The Old Testament pattern was regular giving. What other New Testament passages deal with offering?
- Mark 12:41-44
- Matthew 6:20
- 1 Timothy 5:17-18
What can we take from this?
- Giving to the church is an important part of the Christian life. If ten percent works for you then do that, if 20% works for you then do that. No matter what you should make sure that you are giving out of the blessings with which you have been blessed. Secondly, as was the case in 1 Cor. 16, there may be instances where you need to give more. There may be special projects, needs, etc. and in those circumstances you should be ready and willing to give above and beyond.
