Paul
the apostle shared with the church members in Corinth “concerning
the collection for the saints”,
and he added, “as I have given order
to the churches of Galatia”. In
chapter sixteen and verse three of First Corinthians, Paul referred
to, “whomsoever you shall approve by your
letters”, where
we read:
And
when I come, whomsoever you shall approve by your
letters,
them
will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
The
verse begins, “And
when I come, whomsoever you shall approve by your
letters, ...” Paul
began with the words, “and when” or
“and at the time” “I come”
which means “Paul arrived or appeared at the church in Corinth”,
“whomsoever”
or “whichever person” “you shall
approve”
which means “the church members test, examine, prove, deem worthy
and scrutinize whether they are genuine or not” “by
your letters”
or “by the church members written messages or epistles”. Paul
expected the church members to “appoint and approve of” a person
through “letters”
of commendation when he came to them.
The
verse goes on to say, “...
them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.”
Paul
continued with the word, “them” or
“those appointed and approved” “will
I send” which
means “would Paul bid the offering to be carried” “to
bring” or
“to carry off or away” “your
liberality”
which means “the church members goodwill, loving-kindness and
favor”, “unto Jerusalem”
which refers to “to or towards the city or church of double peace”.
Paul was to have the offerings of the Corinthians brought to the
“poor” who within the church in Jerusalem.
When
we meditate upon these words from Paul, we see how he not only cared
for the poor within the church in Jerusalem, but he also had a
procedure for insuring the Corinthians' gift was brought to them.
Those within the church of Corinth who were “appointed and
approved” by the church were to carry the gifts to Jerusalem, and
the continuance of the gospel of Jesus Christ would be assured. Jesus
desires for His church to be “kind, loving and with favor” toward
others who are disadvantaged within the church, and should we have an
occasion to help with their needs, let our “liberality” be known
to such a manner that we would be “appointed and approved”.
Next
time
Paul instructs the church members to do on, “the
first day
of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God
hath prospered him”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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