1 Corinthians 16:1 - Meaning and Application

In this chapter, Paul ends this long letter with some practical matters. They may seem smaller in importance, but since all Scripture is given by God, they are still useful for our teaching. He begins by giving instructions about a gift for a special need, the severe poverty of Christians in Judea. That poverty was unusual at the time, partly because of the troubles affecting that nation and partly because of the suffering believers faced.

First, notice how he introduces the matter. He is not asking them to do something unique, because he had already given the same instruction to the churches in Galatia (1 Corinthians 16:1). He only wants Corinth to follow the same rule he had given to other churches in a similar situation. He did not want others to be relieved while they were burdened (2 Corinthians 8:13).

He also wisely mentions that the Galatian churches had received the same direction. This could stir up a good kind of competition and encourage the Corinthians to be generous according to their means and the need before them. They had likely received more spiritual gifts than most churches, and probably more wealth too, so they should not let themselves fall behind in giving to their suffering fellow believers. The good example of other Christians and churches should awaken in us a holy desire to do well. It is fitting for a Christian to want not to be outdone by another believer in any good and praiseworthy thing, as long as this only drives him to greater effort and not to envy.

The Corinthian church should not be outdone in this work of love by the churches of Galatia, which do not seem to have had equal spiritual gifts or outward resources.

Now for the direction itself. First, look at the way the collection was to be made: each one was to put something aside and keep it in store for this purpose (1 Corinthians 16:2). He is speaking of having a private reserve, a fund kept for charity. The meaning is that each person should set aside what he can spare from time to time, so a sum could gradually be built up for this good work. It is a good thing to store up money for good uses. Those who are rich in this world should also be rich in good works (1 Timothy 6:17, 18). The best way to do that is to set apart part of their income and keep a treasury for the poor as well as for themselves.

This makes them ready for every good work when the need comes. Even those who work with their own hands for their living should labor so that they may have something to share with anyone in need (Ephesians 4:28). Their store for good works may never be very large, though it may vary depending on their circumstances. But the best way for them to build it is to keep setting aside what they can from time to time. Some of the Greek fathers rightly noted that this advice especially helped the poorer believers. They were to give week by week and not wait until a public collection, so their gift would be easy for them, while still growing into a real help for their brothers and sisters. Little by little makes much.

All charity should be free and cheerful, and for that reason it should be made as easy as possible for us. What better way to do that than to set something aside ahead of time? We can give gladly when we know we have been able to spare it and have already put it aside for that very purpose.

Second, notice the measure of the gift: they were to give as God had prospered them. That is, as God had helped them and blessed their work and business. All our labor and business only succeed as God allows. Hard work by itself does not make a person rich without God’s blessing (Proverbs 10:4, 22). Our success comes from God, not from ourselves, and we should honor him in all of it.

Everything we have is a gift from his kindness and blessing, and all of it is to be used for him. We should acknowledge that he has a right to us and to all that belongs to us. What stronger reason could there be to stir us to help God’s people than to remember that all we have is his gift? When God blesses and prospers us, we should be ready to help his needy servants. When his goodness flows toward us, we should not keep it to ourselves, but let it flow onward to others. The good we receive from him should move us to do good to others and to resemble him in kindness. The more good we receive from God, the more good we should do for others.

They were to give in proportion to how God had blessed them. The more they gained through God’s blessing on their work, trade, or labor, the more they were to set aside. God expects our generosity to others to match his generosity to us. All we have comes from him, so the more he gives, the more he enables us to give, and the more he expects us to give. Those with greater means should give more than those with less, and more than they themselves could give when they had less.

At the same time, God does not demand from someone with less than he has given that person the ability to give. He is not a harsh master who demands brick without straw, or expects more good than he has enabled a person to do. Where there is a willing heart, God accepts what a person has, not what he does not have (2 Corinthians 8:12). But as he blesses us and puts us in a position to do good, he expects us to do it. The greater the ability he gives, the more open our hearts and hands should be. Yet where ability is smaller, the gift cannot be as large, however willing the heart may be, and God does not require more than that.

Third, notice the time for doing this: the first day of the week, the Lord’s day, the Christian day of worship, when believers gathered publicly and attended to Christian teaching and worship (Luke 24:1). Then each one was to put something aside. It is a day of holy rest, and when the mind is freed from worldly work and worry, it is more ready to show mercy. The other duties of the day should move us toward acts of charity. Works of kindness should always go with works of devotion. True devotion to God naturally produces a loving and generous spirit toward other people. We have this command from God, that whoever loves God must also love his brother (1 John 4:21). Acts of mercy are the true fruit of real love for God, and so they are a fitting service on his own day.

God’s day is a fitting time to set aside money for charitable use, or to give it that day, according to how God has prospered us. In a sense, it is like paying tribute for the blessings of the past week, and it is a good way to seek God’s blessing on the work of our hands in the week ahead.

Paul then explains what should happen with the money once it is collected. He wanted everything ready before he arrived, so he gave this instruction: there should be no last-minute collections when he came (1 Corinthians 16:2). But when he did come, he would leave the actual handling of the gift mostly to them. The gift belonged to them, and it was right that they manage it in their own way, so that it would meet its purpose and be used for the right need.

Paul did not act as though he owned the money of his hearers, just as he did not rule over their faith. He would not handle their gifts without their consent. He says they should provide letters of recommendation and send their own messengers with their gift (1 Corinthians 16:3). That would show real respect and brotherly love for their needy fellow believers. It would also be a sign of sincerity if they sent some of their own people on such a long and risky journey to deliver the gift. We should not only help poor fellow Christians, but do it in a way that clearly shows our compassion and care.

Paul also offers to go with their messengers if they think that is best (1 Corinthians 16:4). His work as an apostle was not to serve tables, but to devote himself to the word and prayer. Still, he was always ready to start or support a work of charity when the chance came. He would go to Jerusalem and carry the Corinthians’ gift to their suffering brothers rather than let them go without help, or let the Corinthians’ charity fail to have its full effect.

This did not interfere with his preaching work. Instead, it helped that work by showing a kind and generous spirit. Ministers are doing their proper work when they promote or assist acts of charity. Paul was urging the Corinthians to collect aid for the churches in Judea, and he was ready to travel with their messengers to deliver it. In that service too, he was still doing the work God had given him.