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Pathways Through Paul
Daily Devotional
September 28
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Today's Pathway:
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Paul is bringing his letter to the Corinthians to a close. He begins by reminding them of an offering that they needed to be taking up for the believers in Jerusalem. Acts 11:27-29 tells us about the situation that Paul is referring to. It reads,
"And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea."
Because of the great need that these Jewish Christians were facing, Paul had instructed the Corinthians church, as well as other churches, that they should take up a collection to send to their brethren in order to help to relieve their suffering.
There are several things that we should notice in this passage. First, Paul believed that churches should be willing to help out other churches when they have a need. It should be noted that this passage of Scripture is not speaking about the offerings that had to be taken up in order to pay the bills for the Corinthian church. This is strictly an offering that is going to be sent away from that church to the church in Jerusalem. We know that the church in Jerusalem did everything that it could to meet the needs of its own members. Acts 2:44-45 tells us,
"And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need."
Acts 4:34-35 reiterates this fact,
"Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need."
That type of sacrificial giving to meet the material needs of others within a church body is commended, and Paul wants to see it occur not just within one church's membership, but between sister churches as well. Second, the churches of Galatia were predominantly Gentile. Paul wants Gentile believers to be sure to care for Jewish believers. Ethnicity should never be a factor where Biblical charity is involved.
Third, we see that the church was meeting on Sunday. This offering could only really be taken up when the church met together, and they were doing that on the first day of the week. John refers to Sunday as the Lord's Day (Revelation 1:10) and it was the day that the church met in commemoration of the Lord's resurrection on the first day of the week. It is certainly not wrong to have additional meetings on other days of the week, but Sunday is a specific day stated in Scripture when the church is to gather together.
Fourth, each member's giving was to be thought out in advance and based upon his own prosperity. Albert Barnes wrote,
"Let him lay up at home, treasuring up as he has been prospered. Let him set it apart; let him designate a certain portion; let him do this by himself, when he is at home, when he can calmly look at the evidence of his prosperity. Let him do it, not under the influence of pathetic appeals, or for the sake of display when he is with others; but let him do it as a matter of principle, and when he is by himself."
Not every person is going to be able to contribute the same amount, but each person should be willing to examine their personal prosperity, and, out of thankfulness to God and love for their hurting brethren, give accordingly.
Giving to meet the needs of our brothers in Christ is an important part of the Christian life. How are we doing in this area?
Pastor Mark J Montgomery
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