The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Corinthians 16:1-2,
"Now about the collection for the Lord's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 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."
Paul had decided to provide needed relief for impoverished Jewish believers in Judea. He made arrangements from various churches in his field of ministry among the Gentiles to gather this gift and make sure it got safely to them. In Romans 15:25-28 we read, "Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord's people there. For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord's people in Jerusalem. They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you [the church in Rome] on the way."
We read more of this gift from the Gentiles to the Jews in 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 and 9:6-15. In Paul's instructions on how to prepare the portion from Corinth he told them to set aside some money weekly according to how the week had prospered them. Very practical as it avoided some kind of massive fund-drive once it was needed to be taken to Jerusalem. Paul's "first day of the week" comment is a hint that church fellowships adopted Sunday as a day of worship early on in commemoration of Jesus' resurrection.
I note that this was not a tithe but some amount the believer felt was appropriate and relative to his earnings. A tithe was required of the Israelites to support the temple worship, its facilities and priests who ministered there. There were in fact three tithes the Israelites were required in the law to pay. Two different ones each year and another one every three years. In other words, the Jews were required to pay into the temple treasury 23.3% each year. We don't read of a tithe required of the church in Scripture.
What we do read, however, is that the Lord loves a cheerful giver, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:6-7.
By the way, this is not the kind of thing seen on TV where some "evangelist" who quotes his Bible, tells his viewers to turn in their faith-promise pledge to him so they can get rich themselves. It is a scam that only enriches the "evangelist". They are all wolves in sheep's clothing, fleecing the flock. Of them Jesus says, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" Mathew 7:21-23.
If we, as believers, find ourselves reluctant to share with others what God has blessed us with, we need to take a self-check. Since the Holy Spirit inspires love within us, it should result in a giving heart, a heart that worships the Lord, not only with our attendance in worship services but also with our finances, our time, our talents, etc.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"Now about the collection for the Lord's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 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."
Paul had decided to provide needed relief for impoverished Jewish believers in Judea. He made arrangements from various churches in his field of ministry among the Gentiles to gather this gift and make sure it got safely to them. In Romans 15:25-28 we read, "Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord's people there. For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord's people in Jerusalem. They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you [the church in Rome] on the way."
We read more of this gift from the Gentiles to the Jews in 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 and 9:6-15. In Paul's instructions on how to prepare the portion from Corinth he told them to set aside some money weekly according to how the week had prospered them. Very practical as it avoided some kind of massive fund-drive once it was needed to be taken to Jerusalem. Paul's "first day of the week" comment is a hint that church fellowships adopted Sunday as a day of worship early on in commemoration of Jesus' resurrection.
I note that this was not a tithe but some amount the believer felt was appropriate and relative to his earnings. A tithe was required of the Israelites to support the temple worship, its facilities and priests who ministered there. There were in fact three tithes the Israelites were required in the law to pay. Two different ones each year and another one every three years. In other words, the Jews were required to pay into the temple treasury 23.3% each year. We don't read of a tithe required of the church in Scripture.
What we do read, however, is that the Lord loves a cheerful giver, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:6-7.
By the way, this is not the kind of thing seen on TV where some "evangelist" who quotes his Bible, tells his viewers to turn in their faith-promise pledge to him so they can get rich themselves. It is a scam that only enriches the "evangelist". They are all wolves in sheep's clothing, fleecing the flock. Of them Jesus says, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" Mathew 7:21-23.
If we, as believers, find ourselves reluctant to share with others what God has blessed us with, we need to take a self-check. Since the Holy Spirit inspires love within us, it should result in a giving heart, a heart that worships the Lord, not only with our attendance in worship services but also with our finances, our time, our talents, etc.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
No comments:
Post a Comment