Saints Alive! Living Generously ~ Lesson Three

Talk about Giving

Prayer: Patient God, we hold the questions of hopeful stewards. Week by week, nudge us toward a confident generosity. As we set aside our offerings in our homes and in our congregation, bless them and teach us in our giving and in our loving. Amen.

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. And when I arrive, I will send any whom you approve with letters to take your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me." ~1 Corinthians 16:1-3, NRSV

Lesson: Concerning the collection of the saints in Jerusalem, Paul has instructions for the Corinthians. The directions given to the churches of Galatia are repeated in Paul's enlistment of the Corinthian church. Such a large undertaking, and one that is evidently new to the growing Gentile congregations, requires clear guidance.

The first day of the week or Lord's Day, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, has already found significance among followers of Christ. It is a day set apart from other days as followers gathered and "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers" (Acts 2:42). The shared observance of the Lord's Day was a part of the rhythm of worship and fellowship of the Christian community.

• The giving was to be regular: the first day of every week.
• Giving on the first day connected it to the shared life of the community and related it to the resurrection of Christ.
• Everyone within the community of faith was called to participate, from the wealthy person to the servant.
• Putting aside an offering each week would likely have been an act within the household rather than a public act.
• People who were poor would be more likely to be able to participate by the discipline of putting away extra funds as they arose.

As individuals within the community saved funds regularly they would be prepared for Paul's arrival and the offering. An unexpected collection, which might place a burden on people, would not be necessary. preparation for the offering, week by week and according to each person's ability, could be an occasion for joy.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What are the practices of your congregation regarding the morning offering? How is the offering introduced? Do clergy or laity extend an invitation to the congregation? Who receives the offering? How is it received? What is the place of music in the offering? Is the offering presented as an act of worship? What is the relationship of the offering to the Lord's Supper? Is there a prayer of dedication?

2. Is there an expectation that each person will give within your congregation? Is the expectation stated or assumed?

3. What are the practices of your household in preparing for the morning offering? How frequently do you give?

4. What were you taught about giving an offering? Who taught you? If there are others in your household, is their view of giving consistent with yours? What have you taught others in your household about giving? About generosity?

5. How do you decide which offerings you will participate in by giving? How do you choose the requests for giving in which you will participate?