1 Corinthians
16:1-4
The people who prepared the New English
Standard Bible gave this heading to these verses; “The collection for the
Saints.” A collection to minister to the
saints, those in Jerusalem who were in need, nowhere did Paul or any of the
other apostles teach send money to Rome or anywhere else so we can build a
great building to bring glory to what we have done for God.
So let us explore what is hidden in these
verses; “Now
concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of
Galatia, so you also are to do. 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. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you
accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that
I should go also, they will accompany me.”
As
we explore, these are my thoughts, we do not see the tithe mentioned and it has
always been my mindset that was a minimum and all above that was a gift. I was taught from a child that God is the
giver of all things, health, wealth, and I should have the right heart attitude
and return ten percent of all that He has blessed me with. Now if you are one who looks for loopholes in
your giving, ask first this question, why?
Why would I not want to bless others in the way I’ve been blessed?
I’ve
shared with you how my livelihood came from being in sales, and one of the
training questions a salesperson was to ask was “WIIFM” (What’s in it for
me.) It is designed as a selfish
question one based on greed, but let’s change it into something else in regard
to giving of our income and our health.
First, let’s address our health, what are you doing with the gift of
health, are you giving back to others out of it, are you being a good steward
of the health the Father has given you?
If not you are not applying the “WIIFM” to your own health, and are
living your life centered on only what you desire and not as one who has been
given a gift so as to serve others. And
the very same thing applies to your wealth and all aspects of life, for life is
a gift and each of us is to be a steward of all that the Father has given us.
So
returning to the tithe, and the teaching of Paul; “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.”
The word tithe is not in play, but heart attitude is and the apostle
Paul shares that with us in Romans 12:7-8; “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to
each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your
faith; if it is serving, then serve; if
it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if
it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it
is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” So,
as you have been blessed with the gifts the Father has given you, give back,
with a right heart attitude, and you will be blessed.
From
the Back Porch,
Bob
Rice
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