Offerings for Relief

[전승훈2]

Summary
Paul instructs the Corinthians on how to participate in the collection for the believers in Jerusalem. He tells each person to set aside and save a portion of their income on the first day of every week, so that the collection will be ready when he arrives. When he comes, he will send approved representatives—chosen by the church—with letters to deliver the gift to Jerusalem. If it seems appropriate for Paul to go as well, he will travel with them.
 
Teaching:
“Collection” here can be understood as an offering. It is not an ordinary offering but one given for a specific purpose. The Corinthian church was gathering a relief offering to send to the Jerusalem church, which was suffering from famine.

In the church, offerings can be general or designated for a special purpose. The collection for the saints was a common type of offering. In the Old Testament, agricultural laws included provisions to care for the poor—this was not optional but something God required.

When God grants us years filled with His grace, that grace should increase as time goes on. If that is true, then what we give to God should also increase. Especially when it comes to providing for God’s workers, failing to give what should be given is not genuine Christian living. The basics—the foundations—are tithing, weekly offerings, thank offerings, and, as today’s passage mentions, relief offerings.

Take an interest in the collection for the holy people of God. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, those who know God’s grace are people who extend grace to others.

Excerpt from the sermon by Pastor Lee, Nov 28, 2025
1 Corinthian 16:1-4