-Devotion by Tom Siderius (MI)
The Corinthian church was composed of a majority of Gentiles. Corinth had been a Greek city and now was a Roman city. All the administration and customs there were Roman, and the culture was Greek and Roman combined. The city was a very rich place by all accounts of that time because of the trade and transportation that went through it from both sides of the peninsula that it was located on. The culture of that time was very religious, and it was not a question of believing in god, but what gods and when were the questions. Also the city was full of the Greek philosophers such as the Stoics, Epicurians, Cynics, and others. Giving and sacrifice was part of all these systems of pagan worship and thought.
Paul had advised the Corinthians about giving and its importance and position in the worship of daily life towards God. We see evidence of what he taught them in Romans 16:1-4. The flow of money and help was from the Gentile churches who had received the Word of Truth from the apostles and prophets of the early church, to the work that was centered in Jerusalem. The church leaders there were James the brother of Jesus, as well as Peter and John. Paul and Barnabas meeting with them is recorded in the book of Acts chapter 15 where the questions of the law and circumcision for the Gentiles were discussed and then settled with the apostles there.
Giving is a simple and at the same time complex question that we need to understand and teach. The tithes of the law do not apply to us now in the same way as in the Old Testament so there is no direct formula to follow. We need to see that true Christian generosity comes from the heart of the believer. First we are fully committed to Christ, and then our heart needs to change to be fully committed to the care of others both inside the church and outside of it. Paul instructs us in 1 Corinthians 16 the “how” of our giving, and in 2 Corinthians 8-9 the “why” of our giving.
1 Corinthians 16:1-4(NLT) Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia. 2 On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once. 3 When I come, I will write letters of recommendation for the messengers you choose to deliver your gift to Jerusalem. 4 And if it seems appropriate for me to go along, they can travel with me.
Great advice about the “how” to do it part of the commitment to give. We say “give to God” but there really isn’t any way that we can do that. We can give out of our finances, resources and time to people and organizations but not directly to God. God has no need of anything that we could possibly have or give to Him. Everything that we have or possess is because of His grace and love. Our finances, talents and abilities are all tools that can be utilized in our walk. What he does ask us to do is to be conscious and generous about how we treat others in Christ, and those in need.
What is your first reaction when you see a need in the church?
What is your first reaction when you see a need in another believer’s life?
How about the unbeliever?
This gets difficult to figure out at times. Giving to my direct church body in Blanchard is easy to figure out. Giving to the General Conference is another easy choice. Then there are direct gifts of money or time for those in need that we are directly related or connected with. Then there are organizations outside the COGGC that may merit our help or financial support. Paul once again gives us great advice on “why” of our giving in 2 Corinthians 8:8-15.
2 Corinthians 8:8-12(NLT) I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches. 9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. 10 Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. 11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have. 12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.
Paul once again puts financial giving into perspective for us. We should be eager and willing to walk in truth, knowledge, faith and love. And to this also Paul shows that our Christian giving is important. It is not an obligation but rather a choice that we should make about our priorities and directions.
2 Corinthians 8:13-15(NLT) Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. 14 Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. 15 As the Scriptures say,
“Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over,
and those who gathered only a little had enough.”
See also the record from Romans where Paul talks about the gifts and the direction of the flow of support to Jerusalem that is recorded in Acts 15.
Romans 15:25-27(NLT) But before I come, I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers there. 26 For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. 27 They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially
We don’t have a law of giving to follow, but the promise from God that those who sow generously will reap generously. Recognition of the riches of our life that God has given us will change our perspective on our life, family, job, and church body. This new godly perspective of our position and responsibilities will change us to be able to give with a generous heart and mind. We will be able to do the good works that God has prepared for us to do in this life.
Reflection Questions
Can we truly do any good work that does not involve God?
If God calls us to do something won’t He give us the resources to do it?
Prayer
Father God, we put our hearts and hands into Yours. Thank you for your great love to give us the bread of our need this day, and the resources to help others. Bless the work of our hands, and the responses of our heart. Be with us this day and help us to do the works You have called us to do. In the name of Your Son Jesus Christ.
Seek Grow Love 