Day 254: Being responsible – 1 Corinthians 16 vs 1 -9

1 Now, regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem, you should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia. 2 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. 3-4 When I come, I will write letters of recommendation for the messengers you choose to deliver your gift to Jerusalem.  And, if it seems appropriate for me to go along, they can travel with me.

5-6 I am coming to visit you after I have been to Macedonia, for I am planning to travel through Macedonia. Perhaps I will stay awhile with you, possibly all winter, and then you can send me on my way to my next destination. 7 This time I don’t want to make just a short visit and then go right on. I want to come and stay awhile, if the Lord will let me.  8-9 In the meantime, I will be staying here at Ephesus until the Festival of Pentecost.  There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me. 1 Corinthians 16:1-9 New Living Translation paraphrase (English Standard Version link)

Over the last few years a secular Psychologist shot to fame and many people identified with his message of the need to take responsibility for one's life. It's something the secular world lost sight of because of the trend to ‘demand one's rights’ and expect everything to be done for them. But nearly 2000 years ago the apostle Paul was showing Christians how to live responsibly. What were Christians doing, and being encouraged to do, in vs 1?

They were collecting funds to send to Jewish people in Jerusalem who'd become Christians and were now suffering poverty and hardship because of their faith in Jesus. A big part of responsible living is to look further than our own needs to see if there are people with similar needs we can help, especially God's people – both those living in our own town as well as in other lands. What sensible steps did Paul recommend in vs 2-4?

He urges them to be disciplined in saving a little regularly rather than waiting till the last minute. The words 'on the first day of each week' suggests that Christians were already meeting on that day (our Sunday) for worship and teaching. He also speaks of letters of recommendation. As a servant of Christ, Paul wanted all money matters to be completely honest and open. Christians should NEVER be guilty of stealing, cheating, fraud, embezzlement or any dishonest behaviour – especially with the money of others. We are to be responsible in using wisely whatever money God entrusts us with.

This is what Jesus said about responsible use of money: “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? If you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?” (Luke 16:10-12)

But it's not only money that we can share – what else can we share with others that may be of real help and encouragement to them? (vs 7)

We can invest 'quality' time into people's lives. Paul told them he didn't want to do a rushed visit with them but to ‘stay a while’. Remember, these were the people who'd given him some hard times and criticized him. But Paul believed that Christian love “isn't irritable, keeps no record of being wronged, never gives up, never loses faith, and is always hopeful.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

So being responsible includes sensible use of whatever God entrusts us with. It also means looking beyond ourselves and being willing to share both money and time with others. Our focus is not on self, but on Christ, and we don't act according to our emotions, but according to His word.