Money And Opportunities

INTRO

This week in our study of 1 Corinthians, we’ve dealt with some tough passages. To finish our study today with chapter 16, we’re moving in a different direction. In chapter 16, Paul encouraged the Corinthians to bless the Jews in Jerusalem as they had been blessed by Christ. He asked them to give to the relief offering for the poor in Jerusalem.

TEACHING

1 Corinthians 6:1-4: Paul explained he had been speaking to churches in his third missionary journey, to give money for him to collect when he arrived at each church (vv. 1–2). He explained that for accountability, he would send letters to all those who gave to let them know he had received the funds (v. 3). And, if they preferred, they could send someone to travel with Paul to keep track of the money until it reached Jerusalem (v. 4).

Why was Paul collecting money for Jerusalem? Wiersbe states Paul had two reasons for the offering. First, Paul wanted the Gentile believers to receive spiritual benefits by providing material gifts to the Jews (Romans 15:25–27). Second, at the Jerusalem Conference, Paul pledged to remember the poor (Galatians 2:10).¹

Wiersbe also provides three reasons for the need in Jerusalem:

• The need in Jerusalem was great—many new believers (3,000 plus) had come into the Jerusalem church at Pentecost. That suggests the church had been overwhelmed caring for those who had no homes and no jobs in Jerusalem (Acts 2:41–47; 4:33–37; 11:27–30).
• The area had suffered a famine, further escalating the needs in Jerusalem.
• “Paul’s greatest motive for taking up the offering was to help unite Jewish and Gentile believers.”² (Acts 17:21–25)

Wiersbe outlines five guidelines or principles of Christian stewardship from these first four verses:

“Giving is an act of worship.” Paul told the Corinthian believers to put money aside on the first day of every week, not as a duty but as “spiritual sacrifices to the Lord” (Philippians 4:18).

“Giving should be systematic.” Paul instructed the believers to bring the money to the church every week, systematically, so the offering would be complete when he arrived.

“Giving is personal and individual.” Paul wanted every member to give, regardless of their financial circumstances.

“Giving is to be proportionate.” Paul instructed believers to give as they were able, based on their specific circumstances (1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 8–9).

“Money is to be handled honestly.”³ Paul made sure his enemies had no reason to accuse him of mishandling the offerings received.

In 2 Corinthians 8—9 more information is given about the Jerusalem collection.

1 Corinthians 16:5-9: Paul explained his travel plans next, as well as the travel plans for some of the apostles (v. 5). He wanted to winter in Corinth, spending time there with the believers, rather than just passing through (vv. 6–7). However, first, Paul would stay in Ephesus until Pentecost because of the ministry opportunities that had opened to him (vv. 8–9). Paul’s first travel plan was to go through Macedonia to Corinth, remain there for the winter, and then head to Judea. However, as time went on, he revised his first plan to go directly to Corinth, then visit Macedonia, pass back through Corinth, and then go on to Judea (2 Corinthians 1:15–16). That plan also had to be revised. Paul actually made “a quick and painful visit to Corinth, after which he returned to Ephesus. He then went on to Troas to wait for Titus (who had been sent to Corinth, 2 Corinthians 2:12–13; 7:5), visited Macedonia, and then went to Judea. He did not spend as much time at Corinth as he had hoped or as they had expected.”⁴ Even though Paul had already worked out his own travel plans, God changed his plans.

1 Corinthians 16:10–24: Paul closed the book of 1 Corinthians by writing about the people. Wiersbe points out, “Money and opportunities are valueless without people.”⁵ He wrote about their acceptance of Timothy when he visited, and that Apollos would come when he had an opportunity (vv. 10–12). He told them to “grow up,” and to make sure their actions were done in love as they encountered these people (vv. 13–14).

In verses 15–18, Paul referenced Stephanas and his household, those whom Paul had baptized (1 Corinthians 1:16). Paul urged the believers to submit to people (these and others), who had devoted themselves “to serving the saints.” Paul was encouraging them to be gracious to his own ministry team of workers.

Paul sent greetings from the churches of Asia, and Aquila and Priscilla. and the other believers there (vv. 19–20). Paul also sent his own greetings and reminded his readers the letter had come from his own hand (v. 21). He ended with a blessing: Our Lord comes. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you (vv. 22–24).

CLOSING

Tomorrow, we move to Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians.