Leon Morris: Scrupulously Careful

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Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me. 1 Corinthians 16:1-4

“Each one of you indicates that every believer, no matter how poor, would make a contribution… Paul does not indicate a definite amount or definite proportion of one’s income that is to be contributed… One’s giving should be in direct proportion to the way one prospers; it should be determined as a matter of principle, not something done on impulse… Paul wants no collections when he comes; he is not looking for a last-minute effort with emotional pressure… The time of the visit is uncertain… Paul should want letters to go with the bearers of the collection… These men are to be those approved… a technical term for ‘passing as fit for a public office’… Paul is scrupulously careful. He did not plan to touch the money at any time. The Corinthians would raise it, keep it till he came, and send it by their own approved messengers to its destination.”

Leon Morris in 1 Corinthians (TNTC; Nottingham: Tyndale, 1985) notes on 1 Corinthians 16:1-4.

Everyone should give in proportion to the level of God’s provision. That was important in the days of the Apostle Paul and the same measure to use today!

Equally vital is having people handle money who are credentialed or qualified for the task. The Apostle Paul was scrupulously careful and we must be as well.

As my trip Down Under wraps up, I am thankful God has raised up CMASC to accredit organizations for following standards of responsible stewardship here.

Or, in the words of Leon Morris, I’m glad CMASC urges ministries to be “scrupulously careful” because it’s God’s honor we must preserve together.