Gospel-Motivated Living: Giving, Decision-Making, & Ministry (1 Cor 16:1-9)

Intro & Context

The last few weeks we've been in chapter 15, a lengthy and beautiful and climactic end of this letter, focusing on the resurrection of Jesus.

So in chapter 16, it feels a bit anti-climactic with a bunch of disjointed little paragraphs, talking about housekeeping, Paul’s travel plans. However, everything that Paul has been teaching hold up this section and it's actually full of treasures for us if we slow down and look

This week, we're going to be tackling the first half; next week, Ross is going to tackle the rest of the book, and then in two weeks, we will read the entire letter together during our gathering. We are essentially recreating what the church in Corinth would do. They would hear the whole letter read to them in one sitting. Something we have never done before and I am excited for what God will do.

We are going to look at three different topics, giving, decision-making, and ministry. All of them seem disconnected, but they are all motivated by the Gospel.

How do ordinary Christians who have been radically transformed by the Gospel, live their lives? 

Collection for the Saints

1 Corinthians 16:1 ESV

1 Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do.

Now concerning….

This is a clear sign that 1. Paul is changing subjects from the resurrection and 2. responding to something that they have already talked about.

Which saints is he talking about? Where is this coming from?

This collection for the Saints in Jerusalem has been brought up three times in all of Paul's letters. There are two chapters in   second Corinthians about it in chapters 8 and nine and then Paul talks about it in Romans 15:25-29. 

Essentially, the Jerusalem church has many poor Christians who are in need of outside financial assistance. 

We don’t know why but I have  some educational guesses. 

They may have been poor because of the famine, the Jews who became Christians who lost their livelihood and community, as well as the persecution that broke out. 

But 1 Cor 16 has the least amount of information about it. You would be hard-pressed to understand what he's talking about if you did not read his other writings and we don’t have record of what he said to the churches in Galatia. 

Which is another reminder, that we never read any verse or any book in the Bible in isolation. We need to let the whole of scripture help us understand and interpret. This is also a reminder that this is a situational letter. Paul is responding to something that is going on and is building off lots of pre-existing background that he knows they already understand.

But like I said, this is the first of three times Paul talks about this collection.

So then the question that we should ask ourselves, is why are they sending money to them? 

Paul doesn't make a huge elaborate case on why they should be giving to the poor in Jerusalem. In the other passages, he has lengthy reasons why they should give.

But here,  he just tells them, “so you also are to do.” 

It's almost as if he just assumes that christian's would be generous and that although we can fall into old habits and be selfish and greedy, a simple prodding is all that is needed at times. 

This is just how people who have radically encountered and been transformed by the gospel live. 

When there is a need in the body and you are able to help, you help. 

 But pause and consider how outrageous this act is.  

Paul is collecting money from a bunch of gentile Christians to support primarily jewish Christians, when historically they would have nothing to do with each other. Deep prejudice. 

In fact, they would fight and be at odds with each other.  These Jews have been nasty to them. They could so easily just ignore them. “not our problem.” “out of sight, out of mind.” 

You can imagine a Greek father hearing that their newly converted Christian son giving hard-earned money to a bunch of poor Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. Insane!

This is truly marvelous!
This is what the gospel accomplishes!

I want to leave that point as it is cause Paul does this in this passage, and if you want to hear more of the reasons why they should be giving especially to the Jerusalem church, please look at Rom 15 and 2 Cor 8-9. 

› in v.2 we see the how they are to give:

How do they give? 

1 Corinthians 16:2 ESV

2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

• Paul teaches that giving should be systematic (on the first day of the week), 

• organized (the church collects the funds), 

• and proportional (according to each person's prosperity). 

• Moreover, funds must be managed by individuals of integrity to eliminate any possibility of corruption or theft.

-Thomas Schreiner

Systematic (Sundays)

1 Corinthians 16:2 ESV

2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

This first day of the week is special. 

John 20:1 ESV

1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.

Because of the significance of the resurrection, the early church started to gather together on Sunday, which would have been unique for those who come from a Jewish background who were used to gather on Saturday. 

And one element, among many that Paul requires is that they set aside some money and store it up. 

Note that this is a regular, systematic habit. 

This is not just giving randomly when you feel guilty enough, or you have so much money, its a weekly habit. 

Organized (The Church)

1 Corinthians 16:2 ESV

2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

The heart behind this piece is that he wants the collecting to be done ahead of time so that when Paul arrives its ready and there is no need to have some great fundraising campaign. 

I also find this important to note is that there will be a centralizing collection. 

Certainly we should give on our own at times, but doing it this way as well has power. 

There is safety in this and potentially humility behind this. 

Sometimes, when you have everything together already, it protects from individuals trying to impress Paul or others.  

Imagine you giving a sacrificial amount and lay it before the church, only God knows. And then the great Apostle Paul, the spiritual Father and founder of the church comes and part of you wants for him to know how much you contributed. What it costs you. But this way makes it hard without you clearly drawing attention to yourself.

But the Lord sees!

He knows!

He is the one who ultimately rewards!

Many of you have been generous and there is a fleshy part of us that wants attention for your sacrifice. And one of the best things that can happen for your heart is that no one knows. The Lord knows!

Proportional (According to each’s prosperity)

1 Corinthians 16:2 NIV

2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

This is key. 

And I love that Paul doesn’t give a number or a %. 

He just says, “giving in keeping with your income.” 

The greek is literally, “store up for anything if it has gone well with you.” 

You have no increase of funds, you are free not to give. 

You got some money that week,  give. 

I would personally argue that you set aside money before you put money into anything else. 

A Qualification and Application for Alms

People have taken this passage and other passages like it to support more government programs. 

I'm not going to share my nuanced position on government spending in social programs and their efficacy, but simply want to raise a couple of clear points from this text.

1. This specifically addresses Christians. 

2. We are discussing the church supporting other Christians. 

3. We are referring to those who are genuinely poor; if they do not receive external help, they are at significant risk

If you've ever read the book when helping Hurts, this is the category that they call, stop the bleeding. 

You are not afraid of entitlement or trying to get them to figure out ways to help themselves. There is a significant need, and without outside intervention, they are in danger. 

Furthermore, Paul has other teaching that we must keep in mind whenever we interpret this passage,

2 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV

10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.

So we are talking about those who either can’t work or they are trying but thats not enough because of unusual circumstances.

Now those were some negative qualifications. 

Let’s talk positively how we apply it in our day because we don’t necessarily have the same situation in Jersualem. 

• We care about other Christians

• We care about the poor 

• We keep aware of the global church as much as is reasonable. 

• We prioritize relationships, which we know and trust more than just random people on the internet. And if not, you give through trusted people like Paul.

• We must be systematic and intentional about it and not just wait for situations to spring up. 

Do you have a plan to be generous? 

If you don’t, can I just say gently but directly, “you’re not generous. You are likely  greedy.”

 Generosity Is not natural for anyone. It is a fruit that must be cultivated over time. 

The great antidote towards greed and selfishness is generosity. 

And biblical generosity means that it affects your lifestyle. 

It means that there are certain things that you want to do, certain things you want to buy, certain places you want to go, but you limit that or eliminate that in order for you to give to others. 

Give like you were giving to a family member. 

You plan, you set aside, you scrape and you make sacrifices. 

Just like someone saving up money for their kids for college or something important to them. 

What if we had the same kind of mindset with our giving?

That is biblical generosity. Its radical. Its rare. And its beautiful.

And I love that so many in our church, model biblical generosity. It is such a joy to see how many of you give beyond your means. We all can grow more, including me. But I just want to celebrate how generous our church is. And we rarely talk about money.

So the only reasonable explanation is that we have been radically transformed by the gospel.

God helping us, we will be radically, transformed even more.

So make a plan to set aside money every week or some sort of clear repeatable cycle for the church and for the mission of the church. 

• For our members, we encourage 8% for the church (that money goes to a variety of places that are needed as well as benevolence and missions)

• and also set aside 2% for personal giving

• This way you can be actively looking for opportunities   to be generous towards others. 

That totals 10%. For some of you, that is far too little. You can give that without it affecting you a bit. God is entrusted you with more, he expects you to steward that money and give even more.

For others of us, that 10% is too much. At your current context with your bare minimum expenses, and your income, you cannot make that work. So don't.

That's just a benchmark to shoot for and pray for and I trust if you are motivated to be more generous, God will increase your income. 

Why do I say that?

2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV

8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

This is the primary (not only) goal for money as a Christian. 

• Having enough in all things, 

• at all times, 

• so that you can abound in every good work!

Now to vv. 3-4. 

Transporting it (Accountability with love)

1 Corinthians 16:3–4 ESV

3 And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.

Paul is not PayPaling these funds, but ensuring that trusted and reliable people will transport it. 

It was very difficult to transport money with many potential opportunities for theft and fraud. So they needed trustworthy people to transfer the money.

Which is a great reminder for all members to read the budget that we emailed out. Ask questions to Pastor Dale, who heads the finance committee. we share all these details, down to how much the pastors make because we want to be blameless with the money that God has entrusted us. 

Paul makes a mention that if it is advisable, he will also go with these people.  In other passages it seems that he actually does end up going with him.

› We're now transitioning to a section where Paul talks about his travel plans. And this is the point in your Bible reading where you will be tempted to skim. But there are treasures here for us.

Travel plans (Decision-Making)

1 Corinthians 16:5–7 ESV

5 I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, 6 and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.

Please note Paul's affectionate, fatherly heart for them. He wants to spend time with them. 

This is no harsh and distant authority figure, but one whose heart burns deeply for his people. Remember, he planted this church years before. 

He wants to be with them!

What is the largest factor on Paul’s plans? 

The Lord!

Paul lives like he’s not in charge. 

How many of us need a fresh reminder that we are not in charge of our lives, let alone our plans?

And he doesn’t just use the word, “willing” like James does. 

He uses the word, “permits.” 

If the Lord Permits. 

It’s good to know to say like the book of James, “If the Lord wills” we will do this or that.
But say that and actually believe it. Pray about your plans. 

And when I say pray, I mean, ask God what to do without predetermined answers you are fishing for.

But if Paul loves them so much, why isn’t Paul coming right away?

Wide Door & Adversaries (Ministries)

Wide Door

1 Corinthians 16:8–9 ESV

8 But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

Oftentimes, open doors for ministry are paired with open doors of pain. 

What is this wide door he is speaking of and what are these adversaries?

We don't have to guess.

In Acts chapter 19, we see that people are coming to faith and this is disrupting the local economy as many are coming out of witchcraft and other idol worship. This infuriates the local idol makers, and they riot against Paul in the name of the goddess Artemis.

There's so much more, please reach chapter 19. 

But the adversaries are fierce.

We’re not talking about slandering Paul on a blog or Twitter. They're trying to murder him.

But the risk is worth it. 

Acts 19:10 ESV

10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

This is a mysterious phrase. We're not sure what it means that all of Asia heard. Somehow, as a hub from Ephesus, the word of the Lord spread throughout the whole region.

So Paul is sometime quite pragmatic.

God is blessing his ministry like crazy, and so he is going to stay as long as he can. 

But he is in the hands of the Lord and will only go where  God permits. After one final riot, he actually departs for Macedonia.

Application for Wide Door

Would you take the first if you got the latter? 

What if God asked you tonight…

I will give you tremendous gospel fruit in your family, your workplace, neighborhood or school. 

Many who you would never dream of becoming Christians will come to love me and bow their knee to me. 

Churches will eventually come from this fruit. 

BUT 

Life will be tremendously difficult.
You will experience great adversaries, who will oppose you and try to take you down. 

They will lie about you. 

Even harm you.

Imagine, all of Minnesota heard the Word of the Lord?

Would it be worth it?

PAUSE

Jesus Conclusion

Who among us have arrived?
none of us.

We all fall short. 

• We all can be greedy and forgetful of others in need. 

• We all can make decisions and only afterwards pray for God’s hand on it. 

• We can all prioritize comfort over the mission God has given us. 

We are all poor. 

Not necessarily financially.
But spiritually.
We lack so much…

And yet God is merciful and generous. 

2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

rich in what? 

Rich in Him!

When Christ comes for us, he not only dies for all of our sins, all of our lack, but then becomes one with his people.

We are In him.
We are part of his body. 

He is our head. 

And so all the riches of Heaven are now ours. 

All the Character of Christ is now available for us. 

Christ’ mission becomes our mission. 

Come to Him

This is all available for anyone who would come to him in your poverty. In your need. In your selfishness. 

Those are the only kinds of people who can truly comet to Him. 

So come to Him for the first time or maybe the millionth time.

Come to him and ask him to forgive you. 

Change you. 

Fill you. 

Remind you the gospel afresh. 

And let that motivate you and empower you to be generous, to make decisions under his lordship, and live on mission, even in the face of great adversity. 

__

Commission

2 Thessalonians 3:3–5 ESV

3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

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