The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 553

Vers. 1-4.-0oncerning the collection. I. THE NECESSITY OF GIVING. 1. For maintenance of public worship in our own community. Churches should aim at self- support. .Assuredly there should be no unwillingness to give where we ourselves reap the advantage. .And often the return, being spiritual, infinitely exceeds all that we part with. 2. .For various works which have for their ob}ect the dissemination of the truth or the relief of the needy. Gospel at home is good, but we must see that the gospel is sent abroad. There are many societies aiming to reach the heathen in this land and in other lands; ready support should be rendered. "Go ye into all the world," etc. (Matt. xxviii. 19). Relief of the destitute is a bounden duty of the Christian. Here we have a beautiful example. The apostle is no doubt referring to the distressed believers in Jerusalem and Judrea (Rom. xv. 26). The largely Gentile Church is incited to aid the largely Jewish. This will form a new bond, and do the double work of relieving suffering and breaking down prejudice. Our charity should know no limits but the limits of need and ability. 3. For givers individually. Christians who do not give do not grow. The cultivation of charity is the cultivation, not of one grace, but of many. It is usual to plead the needs of others ; our personal need of giving is a strong argument. Parting with some ballast pro~pers our voyage, and, instead of imperilling our safety0 increases it. Right giving is great gaining. We cannot be like Christ unless we give. He "gave himself for us." 4. For the Church. That Church which is not a giving Church will not be a prospering Church. .A spirit of charity in a religious CQmmunity exercises a gracious influence upon everything that that community attempts, and is ever prompting fresh efforts. Church charity should be wide. There is such a thing as Church selfishness. A Church may bestow too much thought upon itself. High shutting-in walls are not good for gardens. 5. For the glory ef God. Giving manifests the power of the Christian faith. It is a very powerful testimony in the eyes of the world. The world is apt to scoff at profession, even at worship; but this practical outcome often startles, and bas sometimes staggered, the world. It is a great instru- ment of conversion. Moreover, every gift should be a direct offering to God. We must see in the band of the needy the treasury of the Lord. The Master often sits over against that treasury. II. THE APOSTOLIC SUGGESTIONS. 1. Setting apart eaql, week. This is very con- venient for many. It also ensures frequent and regular giving. Further, and what is of far more importance than is :renerally thought, it faci!itates. our lcnow~ng how 'Tnuch we give. Those who do not know bow much they give thinlc they give three times as much as they really do. Perhaps the most certain way to increase our giving would be to keep a strict account of how little we give! Setting apart each week would provide us with a store from which we could draw as necessity arose. ~e a~·e ready for the collection in the sanctuary when we have first made the collect10n Ill the home. 2. On the first day of the week. How appropriate a time ! .Associated with so many hallowed memorits, and pre-eminently with the _con!pletion by his resurrection of Cl,rist's great gift to us. His charity should be the msp1rer of ours .. A beautiful act for a holv day. How could we refuse to give then, or how could we give grudgingly 1 3. 'l.'he umount of gift to be determined by the measure of prosperity• .All gifts are not expected to be of the same value. "8he bath done what she could" was the Mastees gracious expression of apprornl. Note: Our prospetity is ~f ~od. He gives that we may give. Ii we take all to ourselves, we are robber~, not Clmst1ans. -en. xvi. 1-24.] THE FIRST EPIS'l'LE TO 'rHE CORINTHIANS. 5G'j