10) Failure Regarding Collections

1 Corinthians 16:1‑4  •  5 min. read  •  grade level: 9
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(Chap. 16:1-4)
Vss. 1-4—The Apostle deals with one more thing that needed to be set in order at Corinth—“the collection.” Apparently, the Corinthians didn’t have a regular weekly collection. What he was about to tell them in regards to this was not something specific to them alone. He had taught the same to “the churches of Galatia.”
The collections of the saints should be used for the needs of the Lord’s people. It could be for His servants from whom we receive spiritual help (Phil. 4:14-1814Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. 15Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 17Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 18But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. (Philippians 4:14‑18)), or for special needs of the poor of the flock (2 Cor. 8-9). On this occasion Paul was not speaking of a collection for those who ministered the Word, but for “the poor saints which are at Jerusalem” (Rom. 15:25-2625But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. 26For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. (Romans 15:25‑26)). We see the wisdom of the Apostle here in addressing the saints on this subject. Had the collection to which he refers been for labourers, it could have been construed that he really wanted a gift from them after all, even though he said he wouldn’t take one from them (chap. 9). But that was definitely not his intention (2 Cor. 12:1717Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? (2 Corinthians 12:17)). He tactfully waited for this moment when there was a need for others. Then he would speak about the collection and the dispersing of it without anyone thinking that he wanted it for himself.
The saints at Jerusalem were poor for a number of reasons. Their faith in the Lord Jesus had brought them into severe “persecution” (Acts 8:11And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. (Acts 8:1)), and many of them had their earthly possessions confiscated (Heb. 10:3434For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. (Hebrews 10:34)). Some of them were killed and thus left behind widows and orphans who needed support. There was also a “great dearth” (famine) in that area, and this stressed the saints beyond measure (Acts 11:28-3028And 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. 29Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea: 30Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:28‑30)). What made matters worse was that the saints at Jerusalem, in their zeal for the Lord, had sold their possessions and their lands and houses (Acts 2:44-45; 4:34-3544And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. (Acts 2:44‑45)
34Neither 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, 35And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. (Acts 4:34‑35)). When the trouble came, it magnified their problem, for they had nowhere to turn for food and shelter.
Our all-wise God had His good reasons behind allowing the need to arise in Jerusalem and Judea. It became an occasion for the Gentile Christians to have fellowship with the Jewish believers, thus bonding them together in a very practical way. The Jewish saints may have had thoughts of not needing the Gentile believers, or that the Gentiles were in a class beneath them, but this gift from the Gentile saints to the poor Jewish saints at Jerusalem helped to dispel that. It caused the Jewish believers to lift up their hearts in thanksgiving in genuine appreciation for their Gentile brethren (2 Cor. 9:11-1311Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 12For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 13Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; (2 Corinthians 9:11‑13)). If there had been any reserve toward the converted Gentiles, prior to this trial, this expression of love and fellowship dispelled it.
Paul told them that they should take care to have a regular collection “upon the first day of the week.” This was the day when the saints universally came together to break bread (Acts 20:77And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. (Acts 20:7)). Hebrews 13:15-1615By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (Hebrews 13:15‑16) connects this kind of giving with “the sacrifice of praise to God.” Both are a priestly function. In fact, both are said to be a “sacrifice” to God. All such monetary gifts are given to the Lord as part of our worship. Since this passage in 1 Corinthians 16 synchronizes with Acts 20:77And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. (Acts 20:7) when the saints were gathered together to break bread, it is fair to assume that both offerings to God would be given at the same time at the remembrance feast.
Paul said that “everyone” in fellowship ought to give in the collection. Some have mistakenly thought that the husband who is the head of the house (and the one who usually brings the money into the home) ought to give on behalf of his household. Therefore, there is no need for the wife to contribute too. This is what was done in Judaism (Num. 7:22That the princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers, who were the princes of the tribes, and were over them that were numbered, offered: (Numbers 7:2)), and it was right and proper for Jews in a natural religion. However, Christianity is a direct contrast to Judaism (John 4:21-2421Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:21‑24)). To practise such in Christianity is to confuse natural relationships with the new spiritual relationships that we have been brought into in the body of Christ. In Christianity, we don’t worship God as members of a family, but as members of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 10:1717For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. (1 Corinthians 10:17)). The wife is a member of the body of Christ as much as her husband and should participate in this aspect of worship. This mistaken idea may have been borrowed inadvertently from Christian denominationalism. Such organizations approach God in what they call “Family Worship,” but it is a misunderstanding of true Christian worship. Since both brothers and sisters are priests, none should be hindered in this priestly function (Heb. 13:15-1615By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (Hebrews 13:15‑16)). A single sister gives in the collection, and when she gets married, this priestly function shouldn’t be taken from her because she has married.
The funds were to be stored until such time that someone who was travelling to Jerusalem could take the gift to them. Note that everything having to do with handling the Lord’s money is to be done above suspicion. Since they would know the character of those in that assembly best, Paul said that they should choose “whomsoever” they thought best to carry the funds (vs. 3; 2 Cor. 8:1919And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind: (2 Corinthians 8:19)). In this way, they would be “providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men” (2 Cor. 8:2121Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. (2 Corinthians 8:21)).