QT 22/07/2024 Mon. 1Cor 16. Do the right thing: share. 做正确的事：分享
QT 22/07/2024 Mon. 1Cor 16
READ http://www.esvbible.org/1cor16
Today begins the first day of the rest of my life. I am thankful for those who have "refreshed my spirit" (1 Cor 16:18).
Paul gave his closing remarks to prepare for his arrival:-
Paul was careful with money, preferring NOT to handle it alone (1Cor 16:1-4). He asked them to send their OWN accredited persons to handle it (1Cor 16:3). That's wise, especially when interacting with a church under discipline. The phrase "they will accompany me" (1Cor 16:4) suggests that this was STILL Paul's project, not theirs.
Despite Paul's harsh words for them in the letter, he still EXPECTED each of the Corinthians to save and give (1Cor 16:2). He WAS coming to COLLECT it! Perhaps, after all the scolding, none of them felt like giving any more. But it was not only about "feeling" like giving. It's about doing right as a people of God for one another according to God's will.
REFLECTION: You believe in the HOLY and UNIVERSAL church of God, don't you? (Refer to Apostle's Creed) Would you have participated in the collection for the saints if you were in Corinth?
The Jerusalem Collection capped a big milestone of Paul's ministry, gathering gifts from the Gentiles to aid the brothers and sisters in Jerusalem—PROVING that Jews and Gentiles are one in Christ. In addition, there should even be more oneness AMONG the Corinthians themselves.
He instructed them NOT to intimidate Timothy (1Cor 16:10-11) but to treat him well.
He closes with the topic much touched about in 1Cor 13, love. "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith; act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love" (1Cor 16:13-14).
APPLICATION: May we all love one another (1Cor 13), yet at the same time, showing our love for the LORD (1Cor 16:22). God loved Israel even during those times when she did not deserve it. Paul loved the Corinthian and Jerusalem saints through thick and thin. Can you demonstrate your love for God through the way you give your money for God's church？
星期一 2024年7月22日 今日读经：哥林多前书16章. 做正确的事：分享
http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/1Co/16/
听 https://www.bible.com/bible/41/1cor.16.cnvs
今天开始了我这一辈子的第一天。我感激那些“使我的心得着畅快”的人(林前16:18)。
保罗为着他的莅临说出了以下的结语:-
保罗对金钱很谨慎，他不愿一个人单独处理钱财(林前16:1-4)。他让他们派选自己的人去处理(林前16:3)。那是很理智的处理方式，尤其是在和受到纪律处分的教会接洽。“他们就可以和我一同去”这句话(林前16:4)说明为那些在耶路撒冷面对灾难的弟兄们筹款这个项目还是保罗负责的，不是他们的。
尽管保罗在信里的言词颇严厉，他仍然要求每一个哥林多人存钱并奉献(林前16:2)。他要来收取！或许，在被责骂后，没有人愿意再奉献。但这不光是“想不想”奉献的问题。这是神的子民为着彼此，按着神的旨意，行对的事情。
反思：你相不相信圣而公之的教会？(参照使徒信经)如果你在哥林多，你是否会参与为圣徒的乐捐？
耶路撒冷的乐捐成了保罗事工上一个很大的里程碑，他在外邦人当中得到许多募款来资助耶路撒冷的弟兄姐妹--证明了犹太人和外邦人所在基督里是一体的。另外，在哥林多人当中，更应该体现这样的合一。
他也嘱咐他们不要让提摩太感到惧怕(林前16:10-11)，而要善待他。
他以林前13章最常提到的爱心，结束了这个课题。“你们要警醒，要在信仰上站立得稳，要作大丈夫，要刚强。你们所作的一切，都要凭爱心去作”(林前16:13-14)。
应用:让我们彼此相爱(林前13)，但与此同时也要爱主(林前16:22)。在以色列民不配的时候，神仍然爱他们。保罗也爱护哥林多及耶路撒冷的圣徒，无论处境如何。你是否能用你如何在神的教会里奉献金钱示范你对神的爱？
