Issue 17 - Day 5

1 Corinthians 16

1 Corinthians 16:1-3
1)  Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
2)  Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
3)  And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

Money is the one area of our lives that is hardest to give over to God. Our natural instinct says two things. Firstly, I worked hard for that money so why should anyone else have it? Secondly, I can’t afford to give any money away, I barely make it through the month as it is! Paul was in this case collecting money to help the churches of Galatia. At the time there was a famine in Galatia, and the churches particularly were suffering. This is much the same as us taking up a special offering to help a missionary in trouble.

The same principles shown here apply to all our giving, and there are two key principles shown here. Firstly, they were encouraged to give liberally. This was not a case of collecting £50 as a token gesture of support. They gave to meet the need, and more. Our attitude in giving should not be to give the minimum we can get away with, but rather the maximum we can manage. The second principle of giving is to give on the first day of the week as we have been prospered. Or, to put it in modern terms, give to God straight after pay day. For most of us this means every Sunday, or on the first Sunday of the month. If you wait until the end of the month you will never have anything left to give, whereas if you give at the beginning of the month God will always ensure you have enough for all your needs that month.

Give in abundance, give generously, and give first to God. He will bless you.