AN OFFERING AND PRAYER REQUEST
Keywords 16:1
Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I
told the Galatian churches to do.
1. Christians in Corinth promised to participate in
the offering for the poor Christians in Jerusalem. Now Paul asks them to
prepare their gift in advance according to his instruction (2) so that they
would not do it hurriedly when he showed up. To Paul, this offering was more
than just material help; it was the evidence of God’s work through Paul’s ministry among
the Gentiles. It was a show of the Gentile Christians’ practical appreciation of their indebtedness to the
spiritual blessing of the Jewish Christians. Paul wanted to connect them to the
Jewish Christians so that Jews and Gentiles would have unity in Christ.
Christians’ offering must be done willingly and joyfully as the
expression of their appreciation of and gratitude toward God’s grace. Giving to the needy is a part of worship and
it enhances spiritual unity in the body of Christ.
2. Paul shared his travel plans and his present
situation in Ephesus with the Corinthian Christians. He was expecting their
prayer support for effective gospel work in the midst of many opponents. He
asked them to accept Timothy as God’s servant with
respect. He expressed his support for Apollos’ ministry so that they might welcome him on his visit.
Paul humbly shared his prayer topics and asked for their prayer.
Prayer Lord, thank
you for blessing me to take part in world missions through prayer and offering.
Help me to give sacrificially and pray earnestly.
One Word A
sacrificial giving with prayer support
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