So You Also Are to Do

Daily Reading: 1 Corinthians 16

Scripture Focus: Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. (1 Corinthians 16.1-2)

Devotional Thought: Do you ever want to give to help those impacted by natural disasters? There are many avenues and agencies for giving help to the victims of disasters. How do you know who you can trust? How do you know your gift is getting through to the need? That's a real concern, isn't it?

The same concern existed in the New Testament church. When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, in addition to the spiritual content of the letter, he also was helping raise money for famine relief in Jerusalem. He wanted to give the Corinthians assurance that their gifts would reach their intended goal.

Compassionate giving in the church is...

• Expected... Paul directed the churches to give. Helping others is what Christians and churches are to do.

• Regular... It helps if we have a regular system and advance notice of the need to give. Paul told the Corinthians that they were to lay their money aside throughout the week and then give their offerings on the first day of the week, presumably when they gathered to worship. Helping others is best accomplished when you have a plan.

• Inclusive... "Each of you..." No one was left out. Giving is something that the entire church should practice. No gift is too small. Children learn to be generous through such times as disaster relief.

• Proportional... We need to give according to our ability - 'as we may prosper' - not according to what someone else can give. But in times of disaster, we should be sacrificial for the needs of others.

Do you see a need? Respond through avenues you can trust.

Prayer: Father, help us to be generous as you were generous when you gave your one and only Son to rescue us from the disaster of sin. Help us to give wisely and effectively so that those suffering may find help and hope. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 7 God has promised in his holiness: "With exultation I will divide up Shechem and portion out the Valley of Succoth. 8 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah my scepter. 9 Moab is my washbasin; upon Edom I cast my shoe; over Philistia I shout in triumph." 10 Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? 11 Have you not rejected us, O God? You do not go out, O God, with our armies. 12 Oh grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! 13 With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes. (Psalms 108:7-13)