Daily Reading Week 15
Sunday
1 Corinthians 16
Discover:
Paul often wraps up his letters with practical advice tailored to the specific needs of the congregation he's writing to. These instructions were meant for his original audience and can't be followed in the exact same way by modern readers. For instance, in 1 Corinthians 16, Paul shares his travel plans and gives directions about collecting funds for the churches in Jerusalem and Judea. Even though we can't follow these instructions exactly as they were given, we can still find principles in this chapter that apply to our lives today.
In 1 Corinthians 16:1, Paul mentions “the collection for the saints,” referring to the gathering of funds to help Christians in Jerusalem and Judea who were facing severe poverty due to intense persecution. Paul frequently discusses this collection in his letters, seeing it as a crucial way to show the unity between gentile Christians outside Judea and Jewish Christians living there. This collection was also part of Paul's commitment to remember the poor.
Paul instructs the Corinthians to set aside something “on the first day of every week” (1 Corinthians 16:2). This is one of the earliest indications that Christians gathered for worship and fellowship on what we now call the Lord’s Day, or Sunday. Celebrating the resurrection of Christ on the first day of the week dates back to the beginning of the new covenant. Paul tells each Corinthian believer to collect funds “as he may prosper”, meaning they should give in proportion to how much they have been blessed by God. Those with greater wealth should give more than those with less, though there’s no strict formula for this. Matthew Henry comments: “God expects that our generosity to others should reflect His generosity to us. All we have is from God; the more He gives us, the more He enables us to give, and the more He expects us to give. We should give more than others who are less able, and more than we did when we were less able.”
The church should always encourage its members to be generous and to support fellow believers who are in need. To whom much is given, much is required. As the Lord blesses us, let’s be eager to give to the church and its ministries of mercy.
Respond:
1. How can you incorporate regular giving into your financial habits?
2. What challenges might you face in committing to consistent generosity?
3. How does trusting God with your finances impact your faith journey?
Monday
Galatians 6
Discover:
When we first become Christians, our love for God and our neighbors is often enthusiastic. However, over time, we might grow weary of doing good (Galatians 6:9). The long wait from planting seeds to harvesting can be discouraging, and we might become disenchanted with our spiritual progress. In our dissatisfaction, we might try to speed up the process by imposing extra rules on ourselves and others, taking pride in our more “rigorous” discipleship. Alternatively, we might give up and live without any standard of goodness. These tendencies toward legalism and libertinism were present in Galatia, and Paul says the answer to the despair that leads to these errors is patience. There is a “due season” — a God-appointed time — when all our efforts in sanctification will be vindicated. This proper time is our Savior’s return, when His holy people will inherit all that has been prepared for them.
Just as seeds must be planted at the right time to ensure a fall harvest, we must sow to the Spirit in the proper season to reap the rewards of holiness. Broadly speaking, the entire period from our conversion to our death is the right time for sowing. More specifically, there will be unique opportunities that the Lord’s providence brings our way to love our neighbors and sow to the Spirit. When circumstances align to create needs that we can meet, we must seize them, for we do not know if we will have another chance to serve our Creator and His people on this earth (Galatians 6:10). Matthew Henry comments, “Whenever God gives us an opportunity to be useful to others, He expects us to take it, according to our ability.”
We should not limit the recipients of our good deeds to any one group, but we do have a responsibility to care for our brothers and sisters in the Lord first. John Calvin writes, “There are duties which we owe to all men arising out of a common nature; but the tie of a more sacred relationship, established by God himself, binds us to believers.” How have you sown to the Spirit this week through service to another believer?
Respond:
1. What does it mean to "sow to please the Spirit" in your life?
2. How can you support your local church or community in practical ways?
3. Reflect on a time when you experienced the principle of reaping what you sow.
Tuesday
2 Corinthians 9
Discover:
When studying the Mosaic law and its role in the new covenant, it's clear that some parts of it are no longer binding on Christians. For example, sacrifices for atonement aren't offered in the church anymore because Jesus fulfilled the purpose of the burnt offering through His death. However, the New Testament makes it clear that believers in the new covenant should still live according to other laws given to Moses. Stealing, for instance, didn't suddenly become acceptable once Jesus came to redeem His people.
The principles behind the grain offering (Leviticus 2) are still relevant under the new covenant. God's promise to restore Israel upon their repentance included the restoration of their fruitfulness so they could offer the grain offering again. We live in a period of restoration, where God, through His Spirit, is restoring Israel's fortunes and adding representatives from all nations to His covenant people. Therefore, Christians are expected to bring the fruits of their labor to God, just as believers did with their grain offerings during the old covenant. In this way, the principles of the grain offering are fulfilled today.
Originally, the grain offering supported the work and ministry of worship and education at the tabernacle/temple. Giving in the new covenant serves a similar purpose, as highlighted in today's passage. Paul encourages the church in Corinth to contribute to a collection for the poor members of the Jerusalem church. In 2 Corinthians 9:6–15, Paul reaches the high point of his appeal, urging the Corinthians to give generously and experience God's blessing.
Our Lord desires our hearts, so giving to His work with a reluctant attitude isn't beneficial. Instead, we should give joyfully, recognizing that giving is not just about obeying a command but an opportunity to further the kingdom's work. This brings immense joy, and the Lord Himself adds to this joy. Dr. John MacArthur writes, “God loves a heart that is enthusiastically thrilled with the pleasure of giving” (The MacArthur Bible Commentary, p. 1,640).
Prosperity preachers distort God's Word when they tell believers to demand blessings a hundredfold when they give. However, we should expect that God will bless us abundantly when we give cheerfully (though not necessarily with money). Therefore, we should look for opportunities to help the church cover its expenses for ministries like missions (both local and global) and serving the poor.
Respond:
1. How does cheerful giving differ from giving out of obligation?
2. In what ways have you experienced God's provision in your life?
3. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude in your giving?
Wednesday
Luke 6
Discover:
In Luke 6:38, Jesus teaches about the principle of generosity. This verse is often misinterpreted by proponents of the prosperity gospel, who claim that giving financially will result in material wealth and prosperity. However, when read in its proper context, this teaching is about the heart and the grace of God, not a transactional promise of wealth.
Our giving is a response to the grace we have already received through Jesus Christ. We give not to receive material blessings, but because we have been richly blessed with spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). Our generosity is a reflection of God's generosity towards us.
Jesus' teaching in this verse encourages us to give generously, not out of a desire for personal gain, but out of love and gratitude. The "good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over" symbolizes the abundant grace and blessings that God pours into our lives. These blessings are not necessarily material, but they are far more valuable—peace, joy, love, and the assurance of our salvation.
Consider how you can practice generosity in your daily life. This could be through giving your time, resources, or simply showing kindness to others. Remember that your giving is a response to God's grace and an opportunity to reflect His love to the world.
Respond:
1. How does Jesus' teaching on giving challenge your current perspective on finances?
2. What steps can you take to practice selfless giving in your daily life?
3. How does living generously reflect God's character to others?
Thursday
Acts 4
Discover:
The passage in Acts 4:32-37 gives us a view into the early Christian community, highlighting their shared values and priorities. This scriptural account offers a remarkable glimpse into a group defined not only by their faith but also by their incredible unity and generosity. In a world often filled with division and selfishness, the early Christians showed us a different way to live and share. They weren't just a group of believers; they were a close-knit family, united in their unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ. Their story showcases the power of true unity, even to the point of considering all possessions as collectively owned. Their generosity went far beyond just sharing material things, revealing a deep spiritual connection and a steadfast commitment to living out Jesus' teachings.
The early church's commitment to living out God's economic principles challenges us to consider how we can foster a culture of generosity and support within our own communities. Their actions were not driven by obligation but by a deep sense of love and solidarity. They understood that their possessions were not their own but gifts from God to be used for the common good.
In today's world, where individualism often takes precedence, this passage calls us to rethink our approach to possessions and wealth. It invites us to embrace a spirit of generosity, recognizing that true wealth lies in the relationships we build and the lives we touch through our giving.
Respond:
1. What can you learn from the early church's approach to community and generosity?
2. How can you foster a spirit of unity and support in your own community?
3. What role does generosity play in building strong relationships?
Friday
Proverbs 11
Discover:
Divine blessings shape our destiny, which is why Jacob went to great lengths to secure the better blessing from Isaac, and why Esau was deeply saddened when he missed out. But Scripture also talks about the blessings we can bring to each other, promising good things to those who use what they have to help others, as we see in today's passage.
One commentator pointed out that God's economy doesn't always work the way we expect. To become rich and successful by the world's standards, we're often told to invest everything in ourselves. But the Bible says that those who "give freely" actually "grow more blessed". It's a bit of a paradox—the more we give away to those in need and to support God's work, the more blessings we receive (though not necessarily financial ones).
This doesn't mean we have to give away every penny we earn and ignore savings or investments. Scripture praises those who save and invest wisely. There's a difference between those who give generously while planning wisely for the future and those who put all their hope in their savings and refuse to help when there's a real need. Scripture commends the former and warns against the latter. Proverbs 11:24–26 isn't suggesting a formula—give a certain amount and get a certain amount back. It's simply observing that those who follow God's call to generosity often find themselves blessed in greater ways, though not always with material goods.
The blessings from giving aren't limited to just sharing resources; they also include fair business practices. Proverbs 11:26 praises those who sell grain without holding it back to drive up prices. It's wrong for merchants to create artificial scarcity to enrich themselves at the expense of the poor. Those who avoid this practice and sell their goods fairly can expect divine blessings in their lives.
Respond:
1. How does the principle of generosity in Proverbs challenge your understanding of wealth?
2. In what ways can you practice open-handedness in your daily interactions?
3. How have you experienced the blessings of generosity in your life?
Saturday
Matthew 6
Discover:
After telling us not to store up earthly treasures, Jesus anticipates a common concern in today's passage. Some might think, "It's easy to say not to chase after earthly treasures, but we need money and other goods to meet our needs. Won't we worry if we don't pursue these things? How will we afford food, clothes, and other necessities without money?"
Jesus' response to this unstated problem is simple: "Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on". He then gives examples to show why we shouldn't fret about these things. But before diving into those reasons, it's important to note that Jesus isn't suggesting we take a lazy approach to life, expecting everything to fall into our laps. Nor is He saying we don't have a responsibility to provide for our families. Proverbs 6 clearly tells us to be hardworking, like the ants, and that anyone who doesn't provide for their family is worse than an unbeliever (1 Tim. 5:8). However, working out of fear for the future is different from laboring in a way that glorifies God.
Life's pressures often make us worry about tomorrow. But Jesus says that divine providence makes this anxiety unnecessary. Birds don't worry—they sing—and yet they find food each day without sowing or reaping. As God's image-bearers, we have even more worth than birds and can be confident that He will feed us too. "The lilies of the field" don't toil or spin. Their life and worth are so limited that they become fuel for our fires, yet their glory surpasses Solomon's. Since the Father provides for these, He will certainly provide for us, His beloved people.
Instead of adding to our anxiety, making God's kingdom the center of our lives frees us from worry. If we seek His kingdom first, He will meet all our needs. Those who serve Him wholeheartedly and live out the ethics of God's kingdom will share what they have, and through our efforts and the generosity of others, our Father will meet our needs. We don't need to worry about tomorrow because God always takes care of His own.
Respond:
1. How can you shift your focus from earthly wealth to eternal values?
2. What steps can you take to seek God's kingdom first in your life?
3. How does trusting God for provision impact your daily decisions and priorities?