As God hath prospered him

Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 6; 1 Corinthians 16; Ezekiel 14 Psalm 55

1 Corinthians 16:2 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.

Paul was collecting a love offering from the Gentile churches to take back with him to Judea to relieve the suffering caused by a great famine among the Jewish believers there. As he gave the churches instruction on giving he pointed out something very important. He said they should lay by in store as God had prospered each person. Paul here is keeping with the teaching of the entire Bible that a portion of our income should be given for the work of ministry.

Proverbs 3:9-10 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

If we have a job, God has given it to us. If we are strong and can work, God gave us the strength to do it. If we work with our minds and can think clearly, God is one who gave us a sharp mind.

1 Corinthians 4:7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

The local church is a storehouse to bring our first fruits so they can be distributed as is necessary for the work of ministry. There are missionaries to send and preachers to support. There are saints that need to be helped financially and there are ministry bills that must be paid. Some say the New Testament Christians are not to tithe, but that is to miss the point. The New Testament tells us we are to do these works of ministry and they cost money. The Bible as a whole tells us to honor the Lord with our increase.

One example is that preachers should be able to make their living by preaching the gospel. If that is the case, shouldn’t believers give and then pay their preachers?

1 Corinthians 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

1 Corinthians 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

A good test of your discipleship is to look at your money. Do you invest in kingdom work? Are you faithful to your church financially? How much of what God has given to you should you keep for yourself?

In Christ,
Rody