Interesting isn't it? A collection being taken for the saints, plural, not the leaders(whatever you wish to call them)
As I appointed the assemblies of the galatian region, you do it the same way.
Verse 2: on the first day of the week let each one set aside with him/her self, storing up whatever he/she is prospered, so that whenever I come, collections might not be made then.
Each believer, as they are prospered-that's a personal decision based on each person's conscience, not a certain amount or percentage as under the law of moses-
Verse 3: and whenever I arrive, those whom you approve, through letters, I will send those approved ones to carry your gift to Jerusalem.
Now we see who the collection is being made for, the believers in Jerusalem. No set amount, just as each believer considers to have been profited. And it's to be done the first day of the week.
This subject of the gift for Jerusalem believers is dealt with in great detail in ii
Corinthians chapters 8 and 9. Too often these passages are latched onto by preachers who want the saints to give to the "local church." As Quiznos has pointed out many times, verses are taken out of context. I was raised in a "church" that taught "storehouse"(see Malachi) and "faith promise"(ii Cor. 8/9) giving.
As I have said elsewhere on here, God wants believers to give to other believers(Ephesians 4:28). But there is never an indication of salary or tithing. Those who teach and lead in the assembly (acts 20:33-35) are to set the example for other believers by working. There was no professional clergy in the New testament.
"So Paul is going to Jerusalem, taking the offering raised by the gentile believers, for the poor Jewish believers. Now would some believers use this to teach that gentile believers should send money to poor Christians in Israel? Of course. Are they correct? Not at all. Why not? Because Paul nowhere else talks to the other gentile believers about sending a contribution to the Jewish believers.
Could we make an application that we should share with other believers in the world? Of course. Why? Because there are other passages which command is to do that. Examples are not commands."
watch closely now, Achaia had fruit sealed to their account for what we hear they did for the poor saints..
Romans 15:26 For it hath pleased them of MACEDONIA and ACHAIA to make a certain CONTRIBUTION FOR THE POOR SAINTS which are at Jerusalem.
27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
28 When therefore I have performed this, and have SEALED TO THEM THIS FRUIT I will come by you into Spain.
SAME AGAIN HERE, TO REAP THE CARNAL THINGS FROM OFF THE GENTILES WHO HAD THE SPIRIT SOWN TO THEM FROM THE JEWISH APOSTLES OF THE LORD..
1 Corinthians 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall REAP YOUR CARNAL THINGS
12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
it is nesessary for Apostle Paul to write how Achaia was performing the fruit a year ago, and this zeal provokes many to do likewise in forwardness..
2 Corinthians 9:1 For as touching the MINISTERING TO THE SAINTS, it is SUPERFLOUS FOR ME TO WRITE TO YOU:
2 For I know the FORWARDNESS OF YOUR MIND, for which I boast of you to them of MACEDONIA, that ACHAIA was READY A YEAR AGO; and your ZEAL hath PROVOKED VERY MANY
dispersing abroad to the poor, and when they sow this seed of giving, they increase their own righteousness, it gives thankgiving to God( to give) this is the gift of God you di not want to know about..
2 Corinthians 9:9 (As it is written, HE HATH DISPERSED ABROAD; he hath given TO THE POOR: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and MULTIPLY YOUR SEED SOWN, and INCREASES the fruits of YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS;)
11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
12 For THE ADMINISTRATION OF THIS SERVICE NOT ONLY SUPPLIETH THE WANT OF THEW SAINTS, but is abundant ALSO MANY THANKSGIVING TO GOD;
13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
again Apostle Paul's advice is needful for us all, when we have abundance, it is a supply for the want of the poor saints( who were at Jerusalem) as their abundance( of the Spirit) was a supply for their want( the Gentriles)
2 Corinthians 8:10 And herein I GIVE MY ADVICE for THIS IS EXPEDIENT FOR YOU, who have begun before, not only to do, but ALSO TO BE FORWARD A YEAR AGO.
11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.
12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
14 But by an equality, that now AT THIS TIME YOUR ABUNDANCE MAY BE A SUPPLY FOR THEIR WANT, that THEIR ABUNDANCE ALSO MAY BE A SUPPLY FOR YOUR WANT: that there may be equality:
15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
This giving proves the love of God is in them, of course that is for all to know and do..
2 Corinthians 8:24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
Examples are not commands? You cant acknowledge the truth:
1 Corinthians 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
Religious people have convictions and beliefs about scripture and I have mine. I don't debate. I present the truth from scripture, trusting God to fill me with the full knowledge of His will(Colossians 1:9). And trusting God to fill other believers with His will. I expect other believers to have convictions about their beliefs. If they aren't assured of what God says in His word, then they really don't have a message to proclaim. last but not least, the important thing is what the Word says, not what I or anyone else says.
the gift and offering is Christs life, we ought to do the same..
1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
Adam, then are you saying that each believer inMessiah should be flogged wih cat o nine tails 39 times, drag a wooden cross for miles, have a crown of thorns squashed onto their head, be publicly mocked, then crucified.
Messiah it is finished, so what did He leave for you and i to accomplish.
Showing the Lords death in your body and life is done when you believe in being buried with Him in baptism and raised by the faith of the operation of God, in His sufferings, to be dead to sin and alive to righteousness with Christ in belief..
2 Corinthians 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
2 Corinthians 1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
Colossians 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
