Help Poor And Needy Believers

Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 16:1-4

I. Introductory remarks

1. Giving to God reveals our heart
2. Money is the chief competitor of contemporary Christian faith
3. Except a few generous Christians, giving has been reduced to mere tipping
4. Giving to God has almost become an afterthought with leftover money
5. Giving needs to happen for eternal purposes without selfish motive
6. Giving needs be regular, not occasional
7. Generous person prospers and stingy people will not have more (Prov 11:24)
8. At Crossroad, we do not emphasize tithe because the NT does not explicitly teach about it for Christians
9. But the Christian (our) giving needs to be based on
a. Christianity superseding the teachings of Moses (cf. Matt 5:38-“You have heard that it was said, … 5:39-But I say to you …)
b. Imitation of the Father and Son (cf. John 3:16, 2 Cor 8:9)
c. Christian generosity

II. Historical context of 1 Cor 16:1-4

1. Paul had instructed the believers in Corinth to financially support the poor believers of Jerusalem
2. Corinthian Christians sarcastically called this giving “collection”
a. The Greek word logeia -means “tax”
b. Paul uses words like “fellowship Rom 15:26, 2 Cor 8:4), “giving” 2 Cor 8:5), “grace” 2 Cor 8:7), “ministration” (διακονία Romans 15:31)
c. But he did not use the word “tax” for giving
d. In this passage, Paul uses their own word to teach them an important lesson on sharing resources with other Christians who are in need
3. Churches and Christians sharing resources is a symbol of unity
a. Members of the church at Corinth need to step up to the needs of the members of the church in Jerusalem
b. Because they are part of the Body of Christ at large
c. A relationship gets established when one gives, and another receives
d. When other churches give towards a common cause, there is a co-solidarity established among them (Galatians, Macedonians, and Achaeans)
e. Christians from Gentile and Jewish background make bridges when they address each other’s needs
f. When they share with those who are poor and needy, they reflect Jesus (cf. 2 Cor 8:9)
g. Paul teaches that Christians must care for the poor and needy
h. It is not imposed, but it needs to become spontaneous
i. In fact, it is the fruit of salvation
4. Paul wants this giving to be done in a certain way
a. It’s a planned, intentional giving opposed to emotional tipping (16:1-2)
b. It’s a proportional giving (16:2)

Take Away

Include benevolence in your giving plan