How can we bless others with our Money, Time and Relationships

I Corinthians 16:1-14

Introduction:

We’re finally finishing this incredible series of Get Right Church with chapter 16, which speaks about 3 major things. 1. money 2. time, and 3. relationships. Three of the greatest resources we have and also possibly the three greatest areas of struggle we deal with. I know you are saying I knew he was going to eventually talk about money. But what we need to see is the common theme or purpose for these 3 topics all boils down to our title today “ Caring for the needs of others” We know that scripture in Luke

Luke 6:31. “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Also commonly thought of as the Golden Rule, it is the common principle that we all learned growing up. So what does Paul have to say about these topics? Let’s jump in at verse 1

Read 1 Cor 16:1-4

1 Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.

The church in Jerusalem had suffered greatly under persecution of famine, Paul had made it one of his goals of this missionary journey to gather needs for the church in Jerusalem by taking up an offering for primarily the Jewish church in Jerusalem. Paul was uniting the Jewish and Gentile believers. Paul was a missionary for the Gentiles, and this caused all sorts of issues among some of the Jewish brethren. I can only imagine the conversation they are having with him about how he wants them to give money to people who did not like them, nor believed that gentiles where allowed the same grace and mercy. Not only that Paul is asking for them to set aside a some of money each week. Some scholars have chronologically charted to believe this request was to go for about year and half. Not only are you asking me to give to people who hate but over a year or so of wages! Paul hopes that the collection would mend the tear between the two groups. How would you act if we asked you to give to someone who despised or mistreated you?

The flow of the previous chapter, from a prolonged discourse on doctrinal matters to a concluding exhortation on diligence, moved smoothly to a discussion of a practical expression of that faith—care for the needs of others and in particular, the needy in Jerusalem.

Now concerning, Paul once again addressed a question, asked about the Corinthians about giving.He also mention something here that we need to stop and reflect. Underline the line in your bible that says in verse 2 “ On the first day of the week this was the regular weekly meeting day of the early church. people want to know why we assemble on the first day of the week. It’s because we are practicing under new christian age and that was the example they set for us and for years it was a priority. It was the normal thing on Sunday to go to church. If something opened on Sunday it was from 1pm-5pm, so that you could go back to evening service. Somewhere along the way we lost our rights an guess who stole it? “ The NFL owns a day of the week. The same day the Church used to own. Now it's theirs.”

New Testament believers are encouraged to give liberally, but never a specified amount or percentage see (Romans 12:8). he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness

Paul wanted to make sure that the Corinthian’s offering would be collected before he arrive so that he would not need to pressure the people when he saw them see 2 Corinthians 9:5  Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 9

generous gift In the first century, the city of Corinth was renowned for its prosperity. Although some believers were not wealthy (1 Cor 1:26–29), the church as a whole possessed more than other churches. Paul wants to ensure that they give their generous gift with the right attitude and motivation; he sends some believers to help organize the gift to remove any sense of compulsion.

OUR LADIES HAVE THERE DOLLAR A WEEK CAMPAIGN. THIS TEXT HERE SPEAKS TO THE POWER OF KNOWING HOW JUST A LITTLE CAN SUSTAIN SO MUCH. SO IF YOU ARE NEW LADIES PLEASE BEGIN BRINGING A DOLLAR A WEEK.

whomever you approve refers to the person who would accompany Paul to Jerusalem to deliver the gift on behalf of the Corinthian church 16:1. At this appropriate juncture, Paul took up the Corinthian inquiry (cf. 7:1) concerning a proposed collection for God’s people (cf. 1:2) in Jerusalem (15:3). The Corinthians had apparently heard about the collection through members of the Galatian churches, the oldest of all the Pauline-planted churches (Acts 13:14–14:23) in Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and Pisidian Antioch. Paul’s instruction to them was repeated in 1 Corinthians 16:2. Paul never used the word “tithe” when he discussed giving, even though he gave more attention to giving than any other New Testament writer. 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 (cf. Acts 11:29). Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. The income of some would permit them to give a greater proportion, while others, due to their few resources and other constraints on them, would be limited to lesser contributions. What was important was that giving be a unified ministry with each one participating, regardless of his income. Then when it came time to deliver the contributions to the saints in Jerusalem, no last-minute collections would need to be made, and the gift could be sent off gladly, not grudgingly (2 Cor. 9:5)—as would be true if it were wrung out by emotional appeals or personal pressure.

Giving cheerfully means planning ahead to give. At the top of your budget should be your offering. Not at the bottom in the column titled, “What’s Leftover.”

Now what lesson can we learn about giving from this passage? First giving is an act of worship as the believers gather together each week and bring their offerings. It was to be a regular part of the gatherings, and it was to be an act of worship itself. Writing to the Phillipian church, Paul said I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. (Phil. 4:18).

The second lesson we see here is that Giving should be proportionate. Paul writes that the offering should be in keeping with your income Paul didn't give a specific proportion such as 10% but rather a proportion of what a person made. When the Lord blesses us with more we should plan to give more.

Charles Spurgeon said this about giving

Giving is true having, as the old gravestone said of the dead man, “What I spent I had, what I saved I lost, what I gave I have.”

Charles Spurgeon

Having something to give should make your worship and your spirit feel blessed(worthy).

Finally, we see that money should be handled honestly. Paul was cautious to not allow his enemies to accuse him of stealing from the church. The churches were to appoint members of a special team of people to take the money to Jerusalem.

Read 1 Cor 16:5-9

5 After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia. 6 Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.

Paul now shows us how we should approach the use of time.

So Paul was just as careful with how he spent his time as he was with his money. Actually, I’ve heard it said that time is one of the most valuable resources. Yet it is the one resource that can’t be saved but always has to be spent, and here he tells the Corinthians his plans for the near future but notice how his statements are quite, tentative, perhaps, or even I hope these are words that show that he trust in the Lord‘s guidance.

John Gardner said these words:

We can keep ourselves so busy, fill our lives with so many diversions, stuff our heads with so much knowledge, involve ourselves with so many people and cover so much ground that we never have time to probe the fearful and wonderful world within… By middle life most of us are accomplished fugitives from ourselves.” John Gardner

More time does not equal more meaning ( Does not give more value) More time does not equal more productivity.

Have you ever said to yourself I just need one more hour, one more day. If I just wake earlier I can accomplish all that I need.

Read Eph 5:15-17 See then that you walk cautiously, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Know the will of the Lord and thats a question you need to answer about how you spend your time and fill our days.

So Paul’s approach to time can teach us a few lessons. First, we can seek the word of the Lord while using common sense. Paul made plans, but he was willing to trust that God‘s will might be different than his own. That leads us to the second lesson, we mess up in understanding God’s will. Paul made these grand plans, but he had to rearrange his plans which made Paul a liar. No, because he had made sure that he left enough room in his schedule in order to move around as God needed him. Many of us fall into one of two traps. We forget to make a decision very very clear for us or we go the opposite direction to make decisions almost impulsively. Paul's life is an example of walking the line between these two extremes. Let me say it like this

The spirit is not quenched by sin but by our schedule

Cynthia Ozick said Two things remain irretrievable: time and a first impression

We cannot allow our schedules to be so full that we don’t have time for the Lord’s will. It goes back to that question in Ephesians. Do we know His will? My question is are we satisfied with the time we give God?

Let’s look at relationships

The New King James Version Chapter 16

And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. 11 Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.

12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time.

Finally, Paul shows us how to be stewards of our relationships. Churches can often focus on money and opportunities but when it comes to people well, it’s easier for some reason to take people for granted. Here’s the thing, buildings can be a gift from the Lord, and programs and events can at times be a huge blessing to people, but if we lose focus and forget to prioritize our relationship with God, with his people, and most of all making disciples then we could do a bunch of cool stuff and have lots of cool things at the same time still be missing the mark as a local church because all we’re doing is playing church. When Jesus discipled people, He didn't disciple people for money, instead, He trained them to find opportunities to share the gospel. Put it like this, if the people are prepared then God will provide both the opportunities and the money so that His work will be accomplished. So how did Paul treat the people he knew?

Timothy was a young disciple of Paul’s and Paul took the time to train Timothy in the ministry. When Paul sent him to Corinth, he even prepared the church to provide what Timothy needed from them. He wanted them to encourage each other. For Timothy to encourage the church with his work and for the church to encourage this young Timothy in his ministry. Paul loved Timothy and the church in Corinth and desired them both to love one another and care for each other. After all, Timothy would be working where Paul and Apollos had been working. Those are some pretty big shoes to fill.

Closing

If the church were to close its doors, would this community miss us?

God Wants Us to Care for One Another

Remember we build up the church so we can change the world In loving our neighbors and thereby loving God, the Lord requires three things of us: justice, kindness, and humility (Micah 6:8). - Seek God's will in all that we do (Proverbs 3:6). In caring for our fellow brothers and sisters, we follow God's command to love one another. How can we make these resources work better for the Lord?

Read 1 Cor 16:13-14

13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.

Be on Your Guard- “Be diligent in carrying out the will of God by giving yourself fully to the Lord”

Stand Firm in the Faith- “ Get to know his word and stand on the truth”

Be of Courage and Strength’- is a sign of maturity

Forest Park Church of Christ which meets at 4900 Bartell Rd, Paul has sent Young Shannon and Tawanda to minister to you and that you minister to us. That we encourage one another. I hope you notice something out front when you drove to the church. Are sign now says Forest Park Church of Christ and I want to present to all our members her a gift from my wife and I a key chain

These are the things that will take us to the level God has for this church.

One Last thing that we need to do in order to make this happen. I want you to please hear what I’m about to say,

I want you to Pray for Freedom

Pray for god to release you from the bonds of debt, from the grind of hard days, long hours and too tired to come serve the true master. Release you from the chains of hurt relationships. Every day we face choices. These choices can help us walk closer to the freedom that is found in the presence of the Lord or towards the spiritual strongholds that seek to destroy us. Because this life is a spiritual battle, we have to use our God-given spiritual weapons to fight against them.

When it comes to fighting the strongholds that seek to bind us, we need God’s help to free us. Get on your feet and lift your hands to God and ask him to free you from whatever physical battle you face that keeps a strong hold on your growth ask the mighty power of God to break those chains, to be bold to let your employers know who you are or Lord. Allow folk to see your growth and love you desire to be whole.