Saturday, April 11, 2026

Scripture

“Now concerning the collection for the saints: you should follow the directions I gave to the churches of Galatia.  On the first day of every week, each of you is to put aside and save whatever extra you earn, so that collections need not be taken when I come.” 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

Reflections

In John 13:34, Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment; “That you love one another.  Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”  When he was talking about loving one another, he was talking about more than just having a feeling.  He was talking about demonstrating care and concern in very concrete ways.

Within a few decades of Jesus’ death, the believers in Jerusalem were experiencing hardship.  The Apostle Paul knew what he needed to do.  He initiated a collection of money from communities he visited to support the impoverished Christians in Jerusalem.  He instructed churches to set aside money on the first day of every week for their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem.  This effort was so important to Paul that he risked alienating those churches that he had founded in order to complete it.

It is easy to think of the needy as “those people” you really don’t have much in common with.  We may dismiss their need, but their suffering is real.  We even have brothers and sisters in the faith who are in want.  If our love is more than just talk, we provide support as we are able.  That is the way of Jesus.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for your many blessings, including whatever extra means I might have.  Inspire me to be generous for the sake of those in need.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Full Reading: 1 Corinthians 16:1-12