It’s a Test for the Church
The Early Church Test – Part 2
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 16:13-18
Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 16:1-2
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.
In yesterday’s devotional we took a look deep into the heart of Christ followers. In this case it was Christ followers in the Corinthian church. They were living in a season of having enough money to meet their needs, but it is obvious from verse one that there had been discussions—possibly several church meetings—concerning the poverty that their brothers and sisters in the Lord were enduring in Jerusalem. The Apostle Paul starts chapter sixteen: “Now about the collection for God’s people.”
Do we think that way in our churches today? I’m glad that I know of many that do; that have their own church meetings to discuss how to help the poor. A church that has no heart for the poor has lost the heart of God! The question for the churches that have God’s heart is not whether to help the poor, but what is the best method to do it?
I believe the key phrase in 1 Corinthians 16, in regard to this question of how to help the poor, is found in 1 Corinthians 16:2: “on the first day of each week…” In other words, when we are making our plans to help the poor, they need to be systematic. The church can’t allow itself to be hit or miss on this issue. We should make our plans around this idea that it will be a regular practice of our church. We must build it into the very culture of our church; we consistently help the poor in Jesus’ name.
Father, we need your wisdom on the best way to truly help those that are struggling financially. Please guide us to a plan that will be consistent. In Jesus’ name, amen.