Three, Two, One...and Done!

Things to Remember

Paul is writing to people he knows and loves

It is a church…a body of believers, with some possible phonies, some possibly seeking

He is wrapping up the letter in the tradition of writers of that day

Something of a rambling chapter…seemingly not cohesive

…but three areas of concern

…two points in each

…one over-riding principle

A lot of running application through the message

Main Idea: Three general directives for effective Christian lives

Directed to Give

vv. 1-4

Two major components

Though pointed here for a particular purpose, two principles are set down

This offering would be to used to support the impoverished church in Jerusalem

No infrastructure to support

Nothing clear in this text about support of the local servants (professional clergy)

Regular and proportional

>Also cheerfully—but that’s a different text; as is sacrificial…widow’s mite

First day of each week...

Sets the principle of giving first

>Follows along the lines of offering the firstfruits

Also, the concept of having it stored up for usage

>It would be some time before Paul got there

>>No collection would be necessary when he came

Though not a tithe, the idea of proportion is still there

>Rich gave more than the poor

>All should give—no exemption clause

>>Presupposes that God has blessed all within the church in some way

Accountability

A system to assure the money got to its intended destination

Paul was not part of handling the money

Seems to be a selection standard for those who were

Running application

Tithe not a NT directive—principle is a good target…then move beyond

Things were different then

This offering would be to used to support the impoverished church in Jerusalem

We offer the chance to give each Sunday

It’s part of our worship

>Saying “you’re worth it” to God

We should make it a priority—first of the week

>Watch how God provides

Commercial: for the cell-phone/tablet users, we offer Tithly

>simple & easy to use app

Commercial for on-line banking as well

We’re not going the kiosk route

Directed to Support Others

All About Context

Their Context

We don’t know exactly how the church of the day supported itself

>No infrastructure to support

>>It would seem that giving was only on an as-needed basis

We have the Acts 2:45 to hint at that

>Remember prescriptive v. descriptive

Acts 2:45 ESV

And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

This offering to relieve the suffering of the believers in Judea

Many OT principles in place to always care for the poor

Our Context

If we give in this manner, the need for covering sudden needs is mitigated, largely eliminated

We can regularly help out those in need

>e.g. our benevolence giving

>>General budget includes missions mission giving

>>1st of month special offering goes to a “Deacons’ Fund”

Running application

Let the deacons or Pastor know if there’s a need—either yours or someone else

There’s accountability here as well

>Well documented

Directive to Encourage Others

Visiting Workers

Timothy in vv. 10-11

He was a “young elder;” not to be looked down on

Apollos in v. 12

Mixed understanding of why he didn’t go

>Didn’t want to exacerbate the partisan followings and divisiveness? ((1:12)

>Had other work that at the time took priority in his mind?

Local Workers

Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus

Apparently, locals who were visiting Paul in Ephesus as he wrote

Corinthians should “be subject” to them

Lay-elders or deacons

They encouraged Paul by their presence…setting an example

Running Application

As individuals and as a local church, we should encourage Christian workers of all types

Missionaries—whether we support them via IMB, NAMB, as a church as as individuals…regularly or love-offering basis

(Lottie Moon, Shoe-box ministry of Samaritan’s Purse....)

>Pick a ministry, support it with prayer, money, communication

Support your local church leaders

>Remember: Even pastors, elders and deacons can have bad days

>>Higher than normal suicide rate among pastors lately…even evangelicals

Primary Principle

Do it with Love

vv. 19-24

This has been a theme of Paul’s throughout the epistle

He often speaks to the Corinthians in loving, endearing terms…in spite of their failures

…discusses the fate of those who do not love God

> Similar to Gal 1:8-9, probably addressing the same sort of people...

Galatians 1:8–9 ESV

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

Those who do not love God are likely to be among the false teachers—and there were many, by the sound of things in Corinth

Running Application

We are to express a God-like love—agape—among the brothers and sisters; don’t allow the unloving teaching of falsehood

>Such is not love

We must speak truth in love (Jesus’ words in John

Truth is NOT that of the happy-go-lucky Jesus that is often passed off in churches today

Truth is inclusive of forgiveness, includes repentance, changed lives, obedience

Overall Application

We should have the greatest concern for the care and keeping of our brothers and sisters in the Lord

We express that in the way we give, support and encourage (includes the standing strong) them