Several things of interest in this chapter:
1) Practical instructions on providing for those in need
2) Relationships in the Body of Christ - Humility and Leadership
Planning to Give
Paul makes a short comment about how the people should be regularly planning and preparing to give to others. We've read in Acts how the church in Judea had suffered a famine and the believers in other regions were sending money to help (Acts 11:28-29). As Paul describes in greater detail in his second letter to the Corinthians, this gift is not required, but should be freely given as each desires and is able (2 Cor 8:12 - if the willingness is there the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one doesn't have).
Money is a problem area for churches in several ways. First we've seen and still see around us those who abuse money and the pastors and leaders get rich while the people are impoverished. There are the false teachings of the "prosperity gospel" that says that all believers in Christ should be rich. On the other hand, there is much good that has been done and is done in Christ's name as believers give of their time and money to help those who are in need.
In this situation, the believers in Judea are undergoing hardship due to famine and those in Corinth, Macedonia and other areas are collecting and sending money to help them - clearly a good and important use of money. Paul's practical instruction is that if they are planning and want to give, that they should be storing up and collecting the money each week so that when Paul comes, the money will be ready to send along with those the Corinthians choose to send it.
I really like and support organizations such as Samaritan's Purse (@SamaritansPurse) and Compassion International (@compassion). It is also important for churches and individuals to be giving and investing into the local needs of the community.
Lord Jesus, give us your eyes to see the needs of the people around us, your hands to reach out and give and your wisdom to know where and when to best use the resources you've given us to manage.
Relationships in the Body of Christ - Humility and Leadership
I think that there are some interesting dynamics that are somewhat between the lines in this passage. It seems that the Corinthians want Apollo to visit (he is a dynamic preacher seen in Acts 18:24-19:1 who had visited Corinth and Ephesus) and asked Paul to ask him to come (not sure why they didn't or if they did ask Apollos directly) and Paul relates that Apollos declined to come for now. Earlier in the letter we see that some in Corinth followed Apollos and others Paul and this was causing some division (1 Cor 1:11-12) and Paul corrects them and says that neither he nor Apollos is anything, but God is the one they should worship, honor and follow (1 Cor 3:4-8). The fact that Paul asked Apollos to visit the Corinthian church demonstrates his true humility. He could have responded to them in a proud/insecure way that would be a normal response ("If you want to follow Apollos, then fine, follow him and stop asking me for help!" or "I am the one that you need to listen to, not Apollos. Apollos after all had an incomplete view of the Holy Spirit and baptism!") This is a good example of how different leaders can work together in a godly way, in humility, not viewing people as "mine" or "yours" but belonging to God.
Some other comments are interesting as Paul tells the Corinthians to respect and treat well various workers in Christ. Timothy, they are to "put at ease", "not despise" and "help him on his way in peace". We see in Paul's letter to Timothy, that Timothy is young so this is why some might despise him (1 Tim 4:12). The are to "be subject" to the household of Stephanus who where the first converts in the region and have "devoted themselves to the service of the saints" (saints here of course being the other believers in Christ). Generally speaking, two types of leaders that people have the most trouble following are 1) those who are younger than themselves and 2) those who used to be their peers. As those problems exist in the secular world, so they exist in the church, and Paul is telling the believers and us to give proper respect to those who have given their lives to serve Christ by serving the body of Christ. As the writer of Hebrews says "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you." (Heb 13:17).
Father God, give us the grace to follow, submit and give proper honor to those leaders who serve you and us in Christ. Also when we lead, give us the humility to lead as shepherds of your flock, not of ours, that the glory and honor may go to you. Thank you for still loving us and having mercy on us even when we have bad attitudes and help us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling!
1) Practical instructions on providing for those in need
2) Relationships in the Body of Christ - Humility and Leadership
Planning to Give
Paul makes a short comment about how the people should be regularly planning and preparing to give to others. We've read in Acts how the church in Judea had suffered a famine and the believers in other regions were sending money to help (Acts 11:28-29). As Paul describes in greater detail in his second letter to the Corinthians, this gift is not required, but should be freely given as each desires and is able (2 Cor 8:12 - if the willingness is there the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one doesn't have).
Money is a problem area for churches in several ways. First we've seen and still see around us those who abuse money and the pastors and leaders get rich while the people are impoverished. There are the false teachings of the "prosperity gospel" that says that all believers in Christ should be rich. On the other hand, there is much good that has been done and is done in Christ's name as believers give of their time and money to help those who are in need.
In this situation, the believers in Judea are undergoing hardship due to famine and those in Corinth, Macedonia and other areas are collecting and sending money to help them - clearly a good and important use of money. Paul's practical instruction is that if they are planning and want to give, that they should be storing up and collecting the money each week so that when Paul comes, the money will be ready to send along with those the Corinthians choose to send it.
I really like and support organizations such as Samaritan's Purse (@SamaritansPurse) and Compassion International (@compassion). It is also important for churches and individuals to be giving and investing into the local needs of the community.
Lord Jesus, give us your eyes to see the needs of the people around us, your hands to reach out and give and your wisdom to know where and when to best use the resources you've given us to manage.
Relationships in the Body of Christ - Humility and Leadership
I think that there are some interesting dynamics that are somewhat between the lines in this passage. It seems that the Corinthians want Apollo to visit (he is a dynamic preacher seen in Acts 18:24-19:1 who had visited Corinth and Ephesus) and asked Paul to ask him to come (not sure why they didn't or if they did ask Apollos directly) and Paul relates that Apollos declined to come for now. Earlier in the letter we see that some in Corinth followed Apollos and others Paul and this was causing some division (1 Cor 1:11-12) and Paul corrects them and says that neither he nor Apollos is anything, but God is the one they should worship, honor and follow (1 Cor 3:4-8). The fact that Paul asked Apollos to visit the Corinthian church demonstrates his true humility. He could have responded to them in a proud/insecure way that would be a normal response ("If you want to follow Apollos, then fine, follow him and stop asking me for help!" or "I am the one that you need to listen to, not Apollos. Apollos after all had an incomplete view of the Holy Spirit and baptism!") This is a good example of how different leaders can work together in a godly way, in humility, not viewing people as "mine" or "yours" but belonging to God.
Some other comments are interesting as Paul tells the Corinthians to respect and treat well various workers in Christ. Timothy, they are to "put at ease", "not despise" and "help him on his way in peace". We see in Paul's letter to Timothy, that Timothy is young so this is why some might despise him (1 Tim 4:12). The are to "be subject" to the household of Stephanus who where the first converts in the region and have "devoted themselves to the service of the saints" (saints here of course being the other believers in Christ). Generally speaking, two types of leaders that people have the most trouble following are 1) those who are younger than themselves and 2) those who used to be their peers. As those problems exist in the secular world, so they exist in the church, and Paul is telling the believers and us to give proper respect to those who have given their lives to serve Christ by serving the body of Christ. As the writer of Hebrews says "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you." (Heb 13:17).
Father God, give us the grace to follow, submit and give proper honor to those leaders who serve you and us in Christ. Also when we lead, give us the humility to lead as shepherds of your flock, not of ours, that the glory and honor may go to you. Thank you for still loving us and having mercy on us even when we have bad attitudes and help us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling!
I think the main hindrance to give money, time, and other resources to people who are in need is worrying that the decrease of these resources will influence our life quality. Indeed it influences to some extents, but it really doesn't matter in long term. When the people who receive help from Christians thank the Lord God Jesus and become believers, the joy is invaluable. In addition, God bless us if we really trust in Him and help others who are in need.
ReplyDeleteLord Jesus, please help me not worry about the life quality, but seek you first, trust in you and help others basing on your will. You will provide the daily needs for me and my family!