Now concerning the
collection for the saints,
as I have given
orders to the churches of Galatia,
so you must do also:
on the first day of
the week let each one of you
lay something aside,
storing up as he may prosper,
that there be no
collections when I come.
1 Corinthians 16: 1
-- 2
There are
those within the Christian religion who shun Sunday, which is the first day of
our week, and hold fast to Saturday, the seventh day, a day in which the Jewish
religion held sacred. The New Testament
throughout its writings when it comes to the meeting together of Christians the
first day of the week is when they met.
Paul once again informs us that Christians came together on the first
day of the week. Therefore, there
should be no shunning, or opposition, to those who hold Sunday as the day
Christians gathered together to worship God corporately and to care for one
another. It is proper that those
Christians who are meeting together are to set aside charitable collections for
the various stresses and poverty of those Christians within their
congregation, and even to extend those charitable gifts to other Christians
outside of their church. Paul informs
us that it was an order given to the Galatian churches and not some sort of
suggestion. We are to set good examples
for other Christians and churches so that they too would be excited in a holy
manner to emulate your good works for each other. God is not requiring from you money that you may need to pay your
bills and to care for your own family just so that you can provide some
charitable gift to the church. I know,
yes there are some, who teach a prosperity gospel that if you give God will
just give you back a hundred fold. Yes God
provides! God does not expect anyone to not care for their bills and obligations
when they have the means to do so. God
has given each mature person common sense and we are to use our common sense
for why else did God give it to us, therefore, we are not to misuse it. Every one is to lay aside what he could
spare from time to time for charitable purposes and those of us who are rich in
world goods, and money, should also be rich in good works: "Command those who are rich in this present age not to be
haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us
richly all things to enjoy. Let them do
good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share" (1
Timothy 6:17 -- 18). God is pleased
to bless their success in their labors and their businesses. God does not just give when someone is apathetic
or not using their common sense properly:
"He who has a slack and becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes
rich. The blessing of the LORD makes
one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it" (Proverbs 10: 4; 22). What argument can be forwarded against such
divine revelation and one that should excite us to be charitable to the people
and children of God? What more than to
consider all we have is a gift from God?
The metric is this: the more you have, the more you gain by business or
labor, the more you have to give charitably for the work of the Lord. Churches should have set aside monies that
can be used for the benefit of those who are in need within the
congregation. If much has been gathered
and there then is an ability to give to such things as organizations that are
fighting abortion, etc., then they should then have set aside money is enough
to do so. God expects that our
beneficence to others should be in proper proportion to the bounty that He has
given to us. It is not wrong to give support
any day of the week, but it is especially important that we follow the rule set
forth by Paul that this was to be done on the first day of the week. This is a time for public assembly and
public worship to celebrate our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When we give up our monies, even our kind,
then we are showing genuine fruit for our true love to God. When we do this on the first day of the week
when the service is especially a public service then there are those who may be
present who are yet to convert to the Lord Jesus Christ will see our good
works. Not works done because we have
some sort of command by men, rather works done right from the love of our heart
for each other and for our God. Works
of mercy or genuine fruit of our true love for one another and to God and we
are to have proper care for our brothers and sisters and the only way this can
be done is if we take time to get to know our brothers and sisters. How often do we go to church and sit in the
same pew, to same time, leave, or only spend time with a special group of
friends and not take time to greet others?
I'm not saying it's wrong to sit the same pew, no, I'm saying that it's
wrong if we don't take time to care for each other in the strangers in our
congregation and care for both brothers and sisters who are struggling. Paul calls this collection a liberality or
grace. And all was by the goodness of
God that you or I are able to contribute to others and by the grace of God you
have the heart to do it and is given in a free and generous manner, an exercise
of grace and of faith in Jesus Christ and of a love for the Saints. All of this is with a view to the glory of
the grace of God, and Grace is a fruit from God and of our evidence of our love
for God. This Sunday we have the
opportunity to apply the love of God.
The question: will you do it?
I am a companion of all who fear You,
and of
those who keep Your precepts.
The earth, O LORD, is full of Your mercy;
teach me
Your statutes.
Psalm 119: 63 -- 64
Bestow God's love on your brothers and sisters
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