1 Corinthians 16:1-4 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do you.… (Deuteronomy 8:18 and text): — I. GOD GIVES THE POWER TO GET WEALTH. 1. Remember that and industry is turned into a sacrament, and you will feel yourself working side by side with God in the field, warehouse, pulpit etc. 2. This text strikes a blow at that most popular and mischievous fallacy that man is the maker of his own money. Men who can see God moulding worlds, cannot see Him suggesting our idea in business, or smiling on the plough. We have dethroned Him in the realm of commerce, and have put foul little gods called Trick and Cunning into the holy place. We have locked God up in the church. 3. There is always a danger of becoming entangled in the intricacies of second causes. If money fell like rain we should more readily concede that it came from God; but because it comes through circuitous channels we see on it no nobler image than Caesar's. But He who pours down the sunlight pours out the oil. He who arrays Lebanon in all the pomp of summer foliage gives wool and flax to cover the nakedness of man. 4. God wishes the fact to be treasured in the memory of His saints. Mark the consequences of this grateful recollection. (1) God and wealth will be ever associated. "The silver and the gold are Mine."(2) It will promote humility. "What hast thou that thou hast not received?"(3) It will restore every act of life to its direct and vital relation to the centre of the universe. The man who can be atheistic in business could be atheistic in heaven itself. The man who never turns his warehouse into a church will turn the church into a warehouse. (4) It will put a check on all wastefulness. A man who outruns his resources is dishonest; his life is a perpetual felony. (5) It will beget a becoming gratitude and turn our heart and eye heavenward. II. THE PRACTICAL RECOGNITION THIS REQUIRES. Paul turns the principle to practical account. A time is named — God's elect day. The Sabbath is emphatically a day of remembrance. The measure is fixed: God's gift of power, "As God hath prospered." There is not a word about tenth, or fifth, or twentieth. The whole New Testament arithmetic is moral. The student is at liberty, indeed, to go back into the oldest Biblical records, and to discover what grateful men did in dividing and dedicating property, but the service here demanded is a service of love, gratitude, memorial; the heart will soon arrange the best methods of marshalling details. Note the results which would mark the adoption of this apostolic plan. 1. The fickleness and fitfulness of benevolence would be terminated. Benevolence is now very largely a question of impulse. 2. The benevolent operations of the Church would be immensely facilitated. When help is required there is no difficulty with men who systematically store a portion for God. 3. The gratitude of the individual Christian would be kept in lively exercise. On every Lord's day he would not only pray for the kingdom, but show the reality of his word by the practical reality of his deed.Conclusion: 1. You may suggest that it is troublesome to be dividing every week: is it troublesome to be receiving every week? 2. If you remember the Lord your God He will remember you. "Honour the Lord with thy substance," etc. "He which soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly," etc. (J.Parker, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. |
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