[Steve Myers] Last time, we looked at 1 Corinthians 16 and whether or not it is really addressing Sunday worship and taking up an offering on that day. So to begin with, let’s consider this idea of the collection for just a moment, because it certainly seems to say that it’s about taking up a collection of the saints.

So what is it actually talking about here? What’s interesting is if we put this in the context – remember when this was written. This isn’t in isolation. There were lots of things that were going on in the Roman world at this time, and it’s directly connected to a section that we find over in the book of Acts. And in Acts chapter 11 and verse 27, it ties directly in with this collection. Let’s notice what it says. It says, “In these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them named Agabus stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea” (Acts 11:27-29).

So what we find at this time, there was a famine, and hardest hit were those areas in Judea. And so when we see what Paul writes about in 1 Corinthians 16, when he talks about taking up a collection, he’s not talking about passing the plate or the basket around at Sunday services. He’s talking about collecting items for those who are in need, for the poor in Jerusalem and throughout Judea that need items – they need food. Money wouldn’t do much good in a famine, would it? Because they’d need the supplies. So Paul tells them take up a collection. Now, we’ll see why it’s so connected to this famine and even the fact that whether or not they’re worshipping on Sunday.

And we’ll check that out in our next BT Daily. So we’ll see you next time.