1Cor16:1-4 - Doshing Out the Denarii

1-4 Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. 3 And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.


Now this chapter, devoted to what we might call "housekeeping" matters, marks the end of doctrinal teaching and polemic correction in 1 Corinthians. That doesn’t mean there is nothing to learn, but it does mean that we should be careful about inferring from it any general practices or commandments where no such universal instructions are intended.

For example, today most congregations meet on the first day of the week (Sunday), just as they did from the earliest times. Naturally, then, this is a convenient time to take up a collection from the members. But the similarity does not infer that what we do is obedience to a rule laid down here. The collection spoken of here is for the saints in Jerusalem and not for the local assembly. Times were difficult everywhere, but they were particularly hard for the Jerusalem church because of virulent Jewish opposition. Paul was encouraging all the churches to send support to the Jerusalem church and this was but one church so exhorted.

Whatever they laid aside for their brothers and sisters in the Holy Land was in addition to the local giving that all churches ought naturally to do. The support of the local ministry and of widows and orphans in the local congregation was also important, but was not even touched upon here. One assumes that it was so self-evident that generosity of spirit and selfless giving were a natural fruit of true faith that Paul needs not bring it up. And today, when we give, we still do make provision to help our fellows on the mission field, or in ministries elsewhere. But Paul is not making this a rule of the church that when we get together on Sunday we have to take up a collection. We may give freely at any time, including Sundays.

In fact, do you note the absence of any reference to the tithe? Paul simply says, "each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper." So this cannot be used to support the tithing of the congregation. Tithing is a poor thing to insist upon because human nature will quickly get in the habit of feeling pretty good about giving 10% when it could easily give much more. And it also puts undue pressure on weak or impecunious brothers. I wish that all those ministers who pull out the annual drubbing about tithes, or who try to wring out more by similar means for building funds would instead preach Christ and let the Holy Spirit move people to give out of love and gratitude, rather than guilt.

Paul certainly takes up the mantle of authority and leadership that his apostleship implies. First he speaks of having directed the churches in Asia and then he commands the Corinthians in the same way. He tells them what to do, how and when to do it. Finally, he says he will send their money to Jerusalem, along with their designates, but that if it is deemed necessary for him to go personally, it is they who will accompany him. Whatever one makes of this, there is an unmistakable air of authority here.

The kindness and severity of Paul are matched by his meekness and authority. What does this signify? Of whom are we reminded? Why do we see these things in Paul and who is to be credited for them? Whom do we see when we see these things in Paul?