Care for the needs of others: (chap. 16)
The misunderstanding in the Jerusalem church (Acts 5:1), along with the political troubles, famines (Acts 11:28-30) and persecutions (Acts 8:1-4), have impoverished the church. The members in the church of Jerusalem were virtually in poverty. To bring cordial relations between Jews and Gentiles, Paul decided to make a collection for the offering to the brethren Jerusalem. The church at Corinth had consented to make such offering, but had been hindered by their own factions. So Paul makes a request to Corinthian church to start the collection. Further he also speaks of the reasons why he had postponed his visit.
The collection for God’s people: (16:1-3):
Paul at the end of this letter takes the opportunity to speak about the proposed collection for God’s people in Jerusalem. The Corinthians had heard about the collection through members of the Galatian churches. Galatian churches are the oldest of all the Pauline-planted churches (Acts 13:14-14:23) in Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and Pisidian Antioch. Paul desires that Corinthian church should also follow in the same direction of Galatian churches. Paul was already collecting money for them (Rom.15:25-31). The Jerusalem church had many widows and also reeling under the famine.
Paul says that giving should be a systematic, weekly practice on Sunday when the church meets together. Giving was also to be proportionate in keeping with one’s income. Paul did not mention about “tithe” but at the same time he gave more emphasis on giving than any other Apostle or writers. The people who had less income would give less. So Paul desires that every believer must give in proportion to their income. A great preacher said: “Give to God according to your income lest God would make income according to your giving.” The most important thing is that everyone should give irrespective of their income. This is the New Testament pattern of giving.
Paul desires that Corinthians should make a collection for the saints in Jerusalem before his visit only so that there would no last minute collection and he can send the gift gladly to the brethren in Jerusalem with the approved members of the Corinthian church. Further if the church feels that he too should accompany them, he was glad to go with them. Paul says the collection (the Gk word “logia”) is an extra collection, which is not compulsory but one must decide in his heart and give. He calls the gift some times as
“charis “ a Greek word which means a grace gift freely given. Paul calls it a grace, because it flowed from their free love towards their poor brethren. Other times Paul called the gift in Greek word “Koinonia” which means fellowship, sharing and Greek word “diakonia” which means a practical service or ministry. Paul’s conduct in money matters was above board with great integrity. Here he was not directly involved in the handling of the money which shows his great transparency. In other words we can put it this way:
Giving should be the practice of the church.
- Giving should be regular.
- Giving should be for everyone.
- Giving should be proportionate to one’s income so that the person may prosper.
- One must carefully and thoughtfully decide to give.
- Generally Christians excelled in giving. E.g. Red Cross was a Christian organisation.
- It is the responsibility of the church members to support widows, poor people and provide double honour to the ministers who live on the gospel.
- The church must discern who are the members who are in dire necessity.
- If a person can work to support himself he is not truly in need and must provide for his own needs. (2 Thess.3:10-12)
- If a person can be supported by their family, he is not truly in need and should not depend upon the church. (1 Tim. 5:3-4)
- Those who are depending upon the church must work hard and give returns in terms of souls and the pioneering work.
- The support of the church to the individual should be for the basic needs of living. (1 Tim. 6:8).