LET EVERY ONE OF YOU LAY BY HIM IN STORE

It is a Biblical principle that doctrine precedes duty and no more so than in the closing chapter of this letter. Paul is going to deal with three important areas of stewardship, namely: money, vv. 1-4; time, vv. 5-9; and people, vv. 10-24. These are ‘probably the greatest resources the church has today, and they must not be wasted’, Warren Wiersbe.

Paul moves from the lofty heights of the closing verses of chapter 15 to a very practical call for fellowship in an offering for destitute believers in Jerusalem. Sidney Emery comments: ‘Important doctrinal issues must never becloud earthly needs of others; and matters of correctness of faith before God must always go hand in hand with our dutiful concern for our fellows’. Even though this was a special offering in response to a specific need, we should note that the saints knew who the gift was for and were united with other assemblies in the exercise of giving. Paul shows us that giving should be:

Regular - ‘the first day of the week’ links our giving with worship, praise and appreciation of the work of the Lord Jesus. Spiritual sacrifices, the characteristic activity of a priestly people, involve what we say, Heb. 13. 15, what we have, Heb. 13. 16, and what we are, Rom. 12. 1.

Individual - ‘every one of you’. As a priest every believer has the privilege and responsibility of giving, 1 Pet. 2. 5, a service precious to God, Luke 21. 1-4.

Proportionate - ‘as God hath prospered’. No required amount or percentage for giving is specified in the New Testament. All giving is to be free and discretionary but it should be as we purpose in our heart, 2 Cor. 9. 7, and not as a mindless ritual!

Liberal - ‘to bring your liberality’. The word is charis, used for ‘grace’ in verse 23: those who have received bountifully of God’s kindness will give in a similar manner. It is a manifestation of God’s grace at work in our hearts.

Voluntary - Giving should be the free, glad exercise of those who have tasted of God’s goodness, 2 Cor. 8. 4, 9; 9. 7, for the Lord ‘loveth a cheerful giver’.