Text: 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 

Thursday, 19^th September 2024

LAY UP AS WE LAY OUT

Text: 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

Memory verse: Psalm 41:1 Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

The unity of the serpent and the dove in wisdom and in holiness is in when we lay up as we lay out. It is a duty to provide for our family. 1 Timothy 5:8, "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." To lay up for our family is the wisdom of the serpent; but we must lay out for the poor too, this is the unity of the serpent and the dove. 1 Timothy 6:17,18, "Charge those who are rich in the world, that they do good, that they be rich in good works." The poor man is, as it were, an altar. If we bring our alms and lay upon it, with such sacrifices God is pleased. Faith, though it sometimes has a trembling hand, must not have a withered hand, but must be stretched forth itself to works of mercy. There's nothing lost through charity. Proverbs 11:25, "The liberal soul shall be made fat." Psalm 41:1, " Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble." While men remember their family, and they do not forget the poor, they show both prudence and virtue; they unite the serpent and the dove.

In laying out to the Church, Apostle Paul encouraged proportional giving. In 1 Corinthians 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. Let every one of you. Let the collection be universal. Let each one esteem it as his duty and his privilege to give. It was not to be restricted to the rich only but was the common duty of all. The poor, as well as the rich, were expected to contribute according to their ability. The universal command to give is qualified by the phrase "as he may prosper" or as God hath prospered him. Paul encouraged proportional giving, meaning that each person should give a percentage of their income instead of a set amount.  

Let him layup at home, treasuring up as he has been prospered. Let him set it apart; let him designate a certain portion; let him do this by himself, when he is at home, when he can calmly look at the evidence of his prosperity. Let him do it, not under the influence of wretched appeals, or for the sake of display when he is with others; but let him do it as a matter of principle, and when he is by himself. "Treasuring up," means to put the part which he had designated into the common treasury. This interpretation seems to be demanded by the latter part of the verse. They were to lay it by, and to put it into the common treasury. Treasure it up, having designated in your own mind the sum that you could give.

CGDS HYMN 2; SS&S 621:

I GAVE MY LIFE FOR THEE

1. I gave My life for thee ;
My precious blood I shed,
That thou might'st ransomed be,
And quickened from the dead.
I gave My life for thee :
What hast thou given for Me ?

2. I spent long years for thee
In weariness and woe,
That an eternity
Of joy thou mightest know.
I spent long years for thee :
Hast thou spent one for Me ?

3. My Father's home of light,
My rainbow-circled throne,
I left for earthly night,
For wanderings sad and lone.
I left it all for thee :
Hast thou left aught for Me ?

4. I suffered much for thee----
More than thy tongue can tell,
Of bitterest agony----
To rescue thee from hell.
I suffered much for thee :
What canst thou bear for Me ?

5. “And I have brought to thee,
Down from My home above.
Salvation full and free,
My pardon and My love.
Great gifts I brought to thee :
What hast thou brought to Me ?”

6. Oh, let thy life be given,
Thy years for Him be spent ;
World-fetters all be riven,
And joy with suffering blent.
Bring thou thy worthless all :
Follow thy Saviour's call.

 Prayers 

1.  Lord Jesus, help me to lay up for the right purposes and lay out to the poor.

2.  LORD God Almighty, I receive the wisdom both to balance my giving in Jesus’ name. Amen.    

3.  Pray for others in this regard.