1 Corinthians 16 deals with the issue of giving. Paul addresses the issue of taking care of the needs of the saints through the grace of giving by the local church. Our study yesterday laid the foundation for understanding New Testament giving by understanding what it is not. Malachi 3:8-10 reminds us that “All the Bible was not written to us, but all the Bible was written for us.” God demanded tithes of his chosen people to prove their trust in Him, and his provision to meet their needs.
We discussed the picture of the need for a lamb to be sacrificed for the firstling foal of an ass / donkey. Man in his lost condition, has a rebellious heart like an ass. 13 is the number of rebellion, and the verse that gives us the picture of the need to be redeemed is found in Exodus 13:13: And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among the children shalt thou redeem. The Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, was sacrificed for sinful man, that man might be redeemed. John 1:29: Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
To finish the picture, Deuteronomy 22:10 states, Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together. This tells us, in picture, that a saved person, pictured by an ox, and a lost person, pictured by an ass, should not be yoked, in partnership together either in marriage or in business. Paul tells us this in 2 Corinthians 6:14: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? This has precious little to do with giving, but, the connection concerns the responsibility of Israel to give of the firstlings of their flocks.
We must remember that New Testament giving is of grace. Tithing is a command. Paul is focused on moving believers from command to grace. Most of the first century believers were Jews, who understood tithing, but Paul wanted them to get beyond the command to the grace of giving.
2 Corinthians 8:7: Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
Paul also wanted to warn believers about the danger of pursuing wealth, because it takes our minds off of trusting the Lord, and trusting in our possessions.
1 Timothy 6:8-11: And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
The main focus of our study will be the grace of giving to meet the needs of the saints. Please read chapter 16 this week, in preparation for our study this coming Sunday.