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[Previous: Issues of the Resurrection] Issues of the Collection (16:1-11)Paul now moves on to a new subject. This is not, however, an abrupt transition to an unrelated subject. No, rather, if we remember the victory Christ accomplished in his resurrection, and we remember the future resurrection of our own bodies, we should be inspired to give ourselves fully to the Lord's work. More specifically, we should be inspired to give our money to the Lord's work, not out of obligation or guilt, but out of thanksgiving and excitement for the hope of the resurrection. Situational Background (16:1)Verse 1 tells us that there is a specific collection, or a specific cause to which Paul is asking them to give. Evidently at this time Jerusalem was in an economic depression stemming from a drought. Many of the poor Christians in Jerusalem were hungry and in great need. So as he would go around and visit churches throughout the Roman Empire, Paul would ask the churches to contribute money to help the believers back in Jerusalem. As Paul writes to the church he founded in Corinth, he is asking them to also consider contributing to this cause. But as he does so he has some guidelines, principles that he wants the Corinthians to follow as they consider giving to this donation. Even though we aren't going to be contributing to the same cause Paul wants the Corinthians to consider, the principles he lays out are transcendent principles which we can use to guide our thinking as we consider how to give ourselves fully to the Lord's work. How We Should Give (16:2-11)Give regularly (16:2a)The first principle Paul outlines is that the Corinthians are to give regularly. He doesn't want them to wait until he gets there and then try to raise all the money at once. He wants them to put a little bit aside each week. Give proportionately (16:2b)Secondly, Paul wants them to give proportionately. Not everyone gives the same amount, but we give in relation to what we earn. Give wisely (16:3-7)Third, Paul calls on the Corinthians to give wisely. The Corinthians weren't able to call the Jerusalem Christians' Charitable Foundation and just give them their visa card number. They couldn't just send a check to the church in Jerusalem. They had to send people with the cash. And Paul is advising them to choose messengers who they can trust to take the contribution to Jerusalem. You don't want someone to take the money and abscond with the funds. Paul is telling them to be wise in their giving. Don't just give your money to anyone and hope it gets to the people in Jerusalem. Pick the right people to go. Concluding Remarks (16:12-24)Paul concludes with some closing remarks. He tells the Corinthians that he might be sending Timothy with this letter, and if so, they are to welcome him and not despise him (16:10-11). Paul has also encouraged Apollos to come to Corinth, and he plans to come as soon as he is able (16:12). In the meantime, until Timothy and Apollos comes, they are to stand firm in the faith, acting out of love (16:13), and to be subject to their leaders in his absence (16:15-18). He concludes by passing on greetings from the churches in Asia and from Aquila and Prisca (16:19). Finally, he writes with his own hand, not that of his scribe, that those who don't love the Lord are accursed. Maranatha! (What a tag line!)
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