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"Whomever you approve..."

Text: 1 Corinthians 16:3

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE GIFTS

The gifts could come in cash or kind. The administration of the gifts was not easy in the first century. There were no banks they could put their money into. Thus, there would be a need to have people who would help administer the gifts collected.

“And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters
I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem.
But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.”
1 Corinthians 16:3-4

1. Paul’s visit anticipated

a) Paul had planned to visit Corinth.

b) He would attend to this matter when he arrived.

2. The gifts

a) These were intended for Jerusalem.

b) Jerusalem

i) This was where the Church began.

ii) There were thousands of believers there (Acts 2).

iii) There were some who were rather poor and in need of help (Acts 4).

iv) There was once a great famine predicted by some prophets (Acts 11:27-30).

v) Paul and Barnabas had been involved in relief work once before (Acts 11:27-30).

3. Gift-bearers

a) The Corinthian church could appoint some of their members to bear the gifts to Jerusalem.

b) Traveling in a group

i) This was wise.

ii) Sometimes this was necessary (there were robbers).

iii) This would allow the church to feel they were a part of this noble project of caring for others.

iv) This could be an enriching spiritual experience.

c) Letters of approval

i) This was common practice.

ii) This would give some kind of authorisation to the gift-bearers.

4. Paul’s involvement

a) He was prepared to go with the gift-bearers to Jerusalem.

b) But he would delay his decision till he reached Corinth and had spoken to the church.