¹ Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. ² 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. ³ And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. ⁴ If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me. – 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 ESV

Paul opens up this section of verses with the same words he has used throughout this section of the letter:

Now concerning the matters about which you wrote… – 1 Corinthians 7:1 ESV

Now concerning the betrothed… – 1 Corinthians 7:25 ESV

Now concerning food offered to idols… – 1 Corinthians 8:1 ESV

Now concerning spiritual gifts… – 1 Corinthians 12:1 ESV

Now concerning our brother Apollos… – 1 Corinthians 16:12 ESV

In each case, it seems he is either answering a question from the Corinthians or addressing a concern about the church’s affairs. In this case, he is dealing with their role in assisting the “saints.” This is most likely a reference to the saints in Jerusalem and Judea. Luke describes the situation in the Book of Acts.

Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. – Acts 11:27-30 ESV

The warning of a looming famine in Judea moved the believers in Antioch, Syria, to take action.  Primarily comprised of newly converted Gentiles, the church in Antioch decided to collect an offering to help the church in Jerusalem survive the pending famine, and they appointed Paul and Barnabas to deliver the gift. Under Paul’s leadership, this fundraising effort would expand to other congregations in regions such as Galatia, Asia, Macedonia, and Achaia. When the famine began, Paul was still traveling throughout these same regions, leading people to Christ and planting churches. His collection for the saints in Jerusalem was a long-term effort that encouraged Gentile congregations throughout the known world to participate, including the church in Corinth.

Paul had a strong desire to assist the believers in Jerusalem and the surrounding areas who were struggling during the time of famine. These believers, who were primarily Jews, were not only going without food but were also having to deal with persecution from their Jewish peers because of their conversion to Christianity. Paul had written to the believers in Rome, informing them about this international relief effort and his role in it.

At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. – Romans 15:25-26 ESV

He went on to say that the believers in Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to do it and even saw it as a debt they owed.

For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. – Romans 15:27 ESV 

In the early days of the church, there was a need for community and mutual care throughout the body of Christ. The new, fledgling churches were commonly made up of individuals from the less affluent segments of society. Many who had come to faith in Christ had lost their jobs and been ostracized by their families. Some of the churches Paul helped found were better off than others, and he strongly encouraged them to use their resources to help those in need, both within their own local fellowships and in other cities. Paul would write a second letter to the Corinthians, encouraging them to support the needs of others, something they seemed to struggle with.

Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well. But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also. – 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 NLT

Paul was not above using shame as a motivator, comparing the Corinthians’ apparent stinginess with the generosity of the churches in Macedonia. These congregations, while enduring their own “deep poverty,” were joyfully and eagerly giving to meet the needs of the saints in Jerusalem, even begging for the opportunity to do so. Twice, Paul refers to this as a “gracious work” and tells the Corinthians that generous giving is to be pursued with the same intensity and high priority as faith, speech, knowledge, or even love. In fact, meeting the physical needs of others is one of the greatest expressions of our love for others.

So Paul tells the Corinthians, “On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once” (1 Corinthians 1:3 NLT). He provides them with instructions on how to take up their collection, fully expecting them to participate in supporting the needs of the believers in Judea. He is not commanding them to do so, but he is fully expecting their willing participation. Why? Because it is God’s will and their willful involvement will provide evidence of the Spirit’s working within them. God has a heart for the helpless, hopeless, needy, and destitute. In the book of Micah, the prophet records what God expects of His people:

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? – Micah 6:8 ESV

The greatest expression of generosity and sacrifice Paul could think of was that of Jesus Christ’s willing sacrifice of His life.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. – 2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV

He gave His life so that we might live. He became poor, leaving the confines of heaven and taking on human flesh, so that we might become rich, enjoying our position as heir of God Himself. 

The body of Christ is meant to care for itself; there is no room for selfishness and self-centeredness. God blesses some so that they might be a blessing to others. But even those with little can assist those with even less. This is not just about redistributing wealth or creating a socialist society. It is about love, generosity, and a desire to express God’s love to those in need. In a second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul brought up their need to participate again.

You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7-9 NLT

The goal for Paul was generosity, a genuine, heartfelt, Spirit-inspired, love-based generosity that expressed the unity and community for which Christ died. Paul longed to see the churches to which he ministered experience and display the kind of love that characterized the days immediately after the coming of the Spirit.

All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had…There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need. – Acts 4:32,34-35 NLT

Genuine generosity, Godly love, brotherly affection, selfless sacrifice, and compassionate care were to mark the body of Christ and give evidence of their relationship with Him. As Jesus told His disciples, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:35 NLT).

Father, generosity and love are not optional for Your children. As Your sons and daughters, we are to reflect Your character and display Your heart to the world around us as we lovingly care for our own. But our acts of selfless sacrifice should not be restricted to those who believe as we do or who attend our local fellowship. Jesus died for all men. His did not limit His love by offering it only to His own people. His gift of salvation was for all those living in spiritual poverty, and we are the beneficiaries of that love. But if we can’t love and care for our own, our witness to the world will be ineffective. How will they know we are followers of Christ is we can’t manage to meet one another’s needs? We are a blessed people and most of us have more than we need or deserve. Through the power of Your Holy Spirit, remove our tendency toward selfishness and replace it with selflessness. May we love others as You have loved us. May we display a level of mutual care and concern that demonstrates to the world that we are Your children by making Your selfless, sacrificial love tangible and visible. Amen

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.