1 Corinthians 16:2

Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when. come.

'Upon the first day of the week' -'On the first day of every week' (NASV); 'kata is distributive so that we may translate: "Sunday by Sunday let each of you lay by.' (Lenski p. 759); 'Kata has. distributive force, every first day' (Vincent p. 288)

Points to Note:

1. We know that Christians were commanded to assemble (Hebrews 10:25). We know that they assembled on the First Day of the Week (Acts 20:7). We know that they partook of the Lord's Supper when they assembled (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:18 ff). Since Paul was trying to avoid the waste of time that would be involved if the money wasn't gathered when he came to town. (1 Corinthians 16:2) We must infer that the members were to bring their 'set aside' contribution every first day of the week to the assembly, and it was placed in. special fund, not to be spent on other things.

2. Therefore: Christians assembled 'every first day of the week' and they partook of the Lord's Supper every first day of the week.

'The fact that Paul makes such. reference at all implies that there is some significance to their setting money aside on this day rather than, for example, "once. week."....This is verified further by the note in Acts 20:7. which implies most strongly that Paul and the others waited in Troas until the "first day of the week" precisely because that is when the Christians gathered for the breaking of bread..' (Fee pp. 813-814)

'let each one of you' -every Christian had an obligation to give something. God intended that every Christian participate. Compare with singing (Colossians 3:16), the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:26); public prayers (1 Corinthians 14:16); and preaching (1 Corinthians 14:26-31).

'lay by him' -'personally set aside' (Ber). Some are under the impression that 'lay by him', demands the interpretation of 'lay by him at home'. But consider the following points: Such 'laying up at home' would defeat the purpose of this instruction. Paul was giving instructions that would prevent. mass gathering when he arrived. (1 Corinthians 16:2)

'Let me just observe that whatever Paul did not want to be done when he came is precisely what was to be taken care of on the first day of every week...we are forced to conclude that the activity of vs. 1-2 is. public, first-day-of-the week collection.' (Willis p. 601)

'But it certainly seems to me that if they were keeping it at home (1) the stipulation of the day (every first day) makes no sense (why would it not be just as acceptable and effective to do it on Thursday?), and (2) Paul would be defeating his own desire of having no collections when he came since they'd have to bring the money in from homes all over the city.' (McGuiggan p. 212)

'in store' -2343. thesaurizo thay-sow-rid'-zo; from 2344; to amass or reserve (literally or figuratively): -lay up (treasure), (keep) in store, (heap) treasure (together, up).

'The word "thesaurizoon", translated "in store", means, literally, "put into the treasury"..If each man had laid by in his own house, all these scattered collections would have had to be gathered after Paul's arrival, which was the very thing that he forbade..It was put in the public treasury of the church, but kept by itself as. separate fund.' (McGarvey p. 161)

Points to Note:

1. First Century Churches did have the modern equivalent of. bank account. They did have. safe place where they could put their money.

2. It has be argued that these passages refer to. specific collection for. specific need and therefore they can't be used as passages to authorize. first day of the week collection for other works of the church, such as edification and evangelism.

The problem with such an argument, is that is proves too much. If such an argument is true, then the local church can't support it's own needy members out of the first day of the week contribution, seeing that this contribution was specifically designated for members in another congregation. In addition, those who make this argument either end up using this same method or another, which happens to be devoid of all bible authority (as in the case of those who say, 'well when. bill for the church comes in, everyone should just pitch in to pay it.') As if. bible verse existed for that method!

'Some have argued that this passage only authorizes. collection for relieving the needs of the poor among the saints and not for general purposes (such as for buying and maintaining. building, supporting. preacher, etc..). This passage has never been used to show all of the scriptural usages of the first-day-of-the-week collection. Instead, it has been used, and properly so, as the only passage in the Bible to tell how churches raised their funds in the New Testament. Other passages imply. common treasury (2 Corinthians 11:8; 1 Peter 4:14; 1 Timothy 5:9; 1 Timothy 5:16). We can know how the money in those treasuries was raised only from this passage. We must consult other New Testament passages to understand all of the things for which the collection can be scripturally spent.' (Willis pp. 596-597)

'as he may prosper' -'in proportion to his gains' (NEB); 'according to his financial ability.' (Nor)

Points to Note:

1. There is no hint of tithing. Which infers that Christians aren't under the O.T. system of justification. (1 Corinthians 7:19)

2. Nothing is said here about church leaders investigating the personal incomes of it's members, and then legislating how much each individual or family must give to remain in fellowship with God.

3.. tremendous amount of misinformation exists in the religious world concerning the topic of giving. Almost as much as exists concerning the Holy Spirit (Chapter s 12-14).

(a) God doesn't expect us to give everything we own to the church. Supporting our families (1 Timothy 5:8); paying honest debts (Romans 13:8); taking care of relatives (1 Timothy 5:16); paying our taxes (Romans 13:7) are important matters too!. still like McGuiggan's comment:

'There are few things more galling to hear than that preachers will not pay their debts.. have known of those who make large donations to Church treasuries while they leave unforgiven creditors to beg for the money the Christian owes them. There is. foolish idea abroad that money given into Church treasuries is more appreciated by God than the paying of honest debts...We're doing God no favors if we drive the unforgiven creditor to believe that God approves of thieves as long as they contribute to some Church budget.' (Romans pp. 384-385)

(b) In addition, neither are you doing God or the local congregation any favors, by disregarding proper and necessarily insurance, so you can "give" more to the church.

'that no collections be made when. come' -'No last minute appeals to whip up what they had agreed already to do.' (McGuiggan p. 214)

Points to Note:

1. More important things existed than even the collection of this money. Paul isn't coming to Corinth, with emotional appeals, so he can whip up the Corinthian's into an emotional frenzy to give. There will be no 'God will give you. cadillac..if you just give until it hurts', or 'test the faithfulness of God, by right now giving everything you own to this ministry..' or, 'for. limited time, if you give 1000.00, we will include as. bonus gift... an actual page from this letter signed by all the apostles...'

2. 'He wished to devote himself to the instruction of the Corinthians, and not to occupy his time with this matter of the collection when he reached Corinth...he wished this matter to be disposed of before his arrival.' (Erdman p. 171)

3. They could get this collection together on their own (it wasn't that difficult). Paul wanted to focus his attention on correcting whatever problems were remaining when he arrived (1 Corinthians 11:34).

Note the difference between Paul (the other Apostles) and many of the religious leaders in the world today. For many religious groups,. 'physical project' gets all the focus. Sermon after sermon exhorts the members to give to some new "ministry", or for. new complex that the community will have to respect. For Paul, even this collection wasn't top priority. Other matters need to be attended to. (Acts 6:1) Neither did Paul start or advocate. separate ministry for poor Christians outside the local congregation. Land wasn't purchased,. building wasn't bought,. fancy name wasn't invented, staff weren't hired, and. newsletter (which always contained some appeal for funds) wasn't started. Paul simply used God's own organization (local congregations) to meet this need. Why can't people be content to do the same today?