1 Corinthians 16:1-20 Live a life of charity, community, and humility before the Lord

The Collection for the Lord’s People 16 Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me. Personal Requests After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia. Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me. When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. 11 No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers. Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity. Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong Do everything in love. You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition. Final Greetings The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. Solomon said it well when he penned "What is expected of you O man? Walk faithfully and in humility before the Lord your God." Paul is instructing the church to gather for the sake of those in want so that they can be with him when he distributes in charity. He desires the gathering of the saints and with the approval of the Lord wants to be with them. Paul recognizes that he is not the only soldier for Christ, but there are a host of men and women who serve Christ as he does. He wants them recognized by name and desires that the people treat well the servants of Jesus and not to cause personal conflict of division among them. Finally, he wants intimacy in the body of Christ so that all depend upon one another for a common purpose which is making the gospel known by a community of people who serve the Lord in love. Daily Prayer: Lord, build up my inner man so that I do not think more highly of myself than I ought to. Instead, focus my eyes on you who is the author and perfecter of faith whose faith leads to a life of good works and charity. In your holy name I pray Amen.