1 Corinthians 16

1 Corinthians 16
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.

When I get paid, I've been writing a check to give to the church.  It's the first thing I do.  Sometimes I struggle with giving because my income is so limited and there is so much I want to do with "my" money.  The percentage I give is between God and I, however I know that God knows why I hold back sometimes.  He is not fooled.

I also note that this money seems to be a special collection.  Over and above the normal giving because this is money to help others.  The phrase "men you approve" reminds me to be careful with whom I entrust my money.  Many charities today take vast chunks of every dollar given for "administration".

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.

Sometimes I forget that much of the Bible is a collection of letters and not just an instruction manual.  I get to the "personal stuff" and don't think there is much I can glean from it.  Yet here we see Paul really yearning to see the people in Corinth and he does want it to be a quick visit.  He wants to spend time with them.  He was willing to leave it to God's will.

I think about what I do.  If I wanted to go visit my family in TN, I'd give no thought to what God wanted.  I'd get on a plane and go.  I'll admit I rarely consult God with my plans.

¹⁰ When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. ¹¹ No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.

I'm thinking of  1Tim 4:12 where Timothy is encouraged to not let anyone look down on him because of his youth.  Anyone preaching God's word should be treated with respect.

¹² Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.
¹³ Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. ¹⁴ Do everything in love.

Verses 13 and 14 are coming with me today.  I want to keep my guard up for the attacks of the devil, this world and my own fleshly desires.  I want to stand in my faith and cling to what I know is right.  I want to have courage in my faith.  Some times I'm just a wuss.  I want to be motivated by love.

¹⁵ You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, ¹⁶ to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. ¹⁷ I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. ¹⁸ For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.

Here Paul is recognizing those who are doing it right.  I'm good at correcting and instructing, now I want to work on encouraging and acknowledging those who are doing it right.

God Bless.