Ep 292 – 1 Corinthians 16:1-9

The church, the body of Christ, is bigger than you think. It goes far beyond the walls of your local church building. It reaches into distant lands and encompasses people groups who speak languages you've never heard of and would not understand. In this final chapter of his letter, Paul begins to wrap things up by reminding the church in Corinth of his expectations that they participate in the collection of funds for the needy believers in Judah. He wants them to give and to do it gladly and generously. For a congregation that was struggling with issues of pride, self-centeredness and comparison, it was a great way to remind them that the church of Jesus Christ was far bigger than their local congregation. While they were bickering over who had the most important spiritual gift or who was baptized by the more important leader, the churches in Judah were suffering from persecution and a famine. They were struggling to survive. But the Corinthians were arguing over food at their love feasts and wasting money taking one another to court over matter that were of no eternal significance. Always spiritual, but also practical, Paul brings his letter to a close by providing his audience with a much-needed wake-up call to consider the more important matters of life: The well-being of the body of Christ and the continued spread of the gospel around the world.