1 Corinthians 16

Objectives

• Students will ask if they are giving to the Lord in an obligatory manner or a Biblical manner.
• Students will determine not to use opposition as an excuse for ignoring the Spirit's providence.
• Students will determine to show honor to those who labor for Christ.

Opening

Legalism is a big topic in conservative churches. One issue with legalism that I think we sometimes miss is the way people use legalism to limit their spirituality. Sometimes I wonder if that is what Matthew 15:5 is getting at.In short, I think we like rules because rules tell us how far we are allowed to go. Instead, God calls onus to be holy for He is holy. Unfortunately, I think that tithing can fall victim to the same trap.

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 what you may normally be giving. Also note that Paul allows time for the collection to be made. Practically, this would allow for everyone to participate, this is not a quick fund drive that only the wealthy are part of, but an opportunity for all to be part of the work of the church.

Paul's Personal Plans (V. 5-12)

• In verses 8 and 9 we can get a glimpse of Paul's decision making. He appears to be weighing two items, what is he weighing? What does it look like he is choosing?
  • Paul weights the effective door against opposition. I worry that at times we see opposition as evidence of a door closing. This was not the case in Ephesus where the door was open despite opposition. Sometimes I wonder if we are wimps when it comes to opposition and use opposition as an excuse to say a door is closed.

• What can we learn from Paul's command regarding Timothy in verses 10 and 11?
  • Paul is concerned that Timothy will be rejected, perhaps because of his youth. Paul commands the people not to despise Timothy. In effect, Paul states that youth is not grounds for rejection.

• What can we learn about Paul's humility from verse 12?
  • Some in Corinth had placed Apollos on a pedestal. Paul respected Apollos' conditions even though they were not his own.

Final Words (V. 13-24)

• In verses 15-16 we see an important axiom. We need to honor those who labor for the church. How can we as a church honor those who labor?

Closing

• What can we learn from the church of Corinth?