Conflict Management - 1 Corinthians 16:1-4

 

Lesson 13: The Church’s Questions—Collection

 

 In this last lesson from 1 Cor, Paul moves from the theological (resurrection) back to the practical. Unlike the other issues, however, the subject in chapter 16 is not related to a church problem. Throughout the letter, Paul has directed their attention inward. Now he directs their attention outward with a brief set of instructions about how they can meet the needs of believers elsewhere.¹⁹¹ After these instructions, Paul closes the letter with some personal requests and final greetings.

 

             G. Collection       16:1-4

 

1 Cor 16:1 Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.

 

                   1.    There is a proper setting to collect the funds.

a.     They should collect them on Sunday (“the first day”), probably to avoid handling money on the Sabbath.¹⁹²

b.    They should collect them at home (lit. “each one by himself”), perhaps to avoid a public display.¹⁹³  2. There are proper personnel to move the funds.

a.     Representatives from the Corinthian church will accompany them to demonstrate fiscal responsibility.

b.    Representatives from the Jerusalem church will distribute them

to relieve depleted supplies.

 

Comment: About “…send them with your gift” in (v. 3)

 Sending the money with representatives is safer and demonstrates fiscal responsibility. It also provides direct contact between the giver and the recipient. Such contact is good for the needy church, because it assures the congregants that others are concerned enough about them to do something, and it gives the representatives first-hand knowledge of other believers and their needs. In short, it makes the entire operation more personal.

 

           

Comment: About “…your gift to Jerusalem” (v. 3)

 Paul intended the gift for the poor in Jerusalem, as is evident from his related instructions later and elsewhere.¹⁹⁴ The need may have arisen in Jerusalem because an influx of widows into the church depleted the congregation’s funds and/or because a recent famine depleted food stocks in general.¹⁹⁵

 

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