Paul
the apostle shared with the church members in Corinth, “concerning
the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches
of Galatia, even so do”,
and in
chapter sixteen and verse two of First Corinthians, Paul told the
church members what should happen, “upon the
first day of the week”, where
we read:
Upon
the first day
of the week let every one of you lay by him in store,
as God
has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
The
verse begins, “Upon
the first day
of the week let every one of you lay by him in store,”
Paul began
with the word, “upon” or
“down from, through out, according to and toward” “the
first”
which means “the certain one in order” “day
of the week”
or “the institution of the sabbath and the law for keeping holy
every seventh day of the week” “let”
which means “put, place and lay aside” “every
one” or
“each, all, the whole and everyone” “of
you” which
refers to “the church members” “lay
by him” or
“set aside, put and place” “in
store”
which means “accumulated riches and reserve”. Paul instructed the
church members to each “lay aside” their “accumulated riches”.
The
verse continues, “...as
God
has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”
Paul added
the words, “as God” which
refers to “like the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised
of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “has
prospered him”
or “granted, prospered and made him successful”, “that
there be”
which means “so there is” “no
gatherings”
or “no collection for the relief of the poor” “when”
which means “at the moment and time” “I
come” or
“Paul arrives from another place and appears”. Paul wanted the
church members to give according to the provision God gave them, so
there would be no “collections” when he arrived.
When
we meditate upon these words from Paul, we understand there was an
appointed time for “offerings” to be given for the poor. The
church members were to “lay aside” their belongings to give on
the “first day of the week” or “Sunday. When the church
members accepted the “gospel” of Jesus Christ, they were to be
“givers” to those who are less advantaged than themselves, and
Paul's exhortation should be a model for us to “lay aside” for
others on the “first day of the week”.
Next
time Paul shares with the church members concerning, “whomsoever
you shall approve by your
letters”,
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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