I was reading in 1 Corinthians the other day, the well known chapter 13 and got to verse 13: “So now faith, hope and
love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” I’ve read this verse numerous times, but never grasped the
full concept of it. I read some commentary on it this time and I found it so profound, very very simple, yet profound.
It says: “Why is love the greatest of these? When Christ makes all things new and His followers are ushered into the
eternal state, faith will no longer be necessary because the redeemed will see Him face to face. Hope will no longer
be necessary because their hope will have been perfectly realized. But love will remain, and it will finally be known
without the taint of sin.” Isn’t that something. I never thought of it in an eternal matter….not sure why I never did.
But wow.
love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” I’ve read this verse numerous times, but never grasped the
full concept of it. I read some commentary on it this time and I found it so profound, very very simple, yet profound.
It says: “Why is love the greatest of these? When Christ makes all things new and His followers are ushered into the
eternal state, faith will no longer be necessary because the redeemed will see Him face to face. Hope will no longer
be necessary because their hope will have been perfectly realized. But love will remain, and it will finally be known
without the taint of sin.” Isn’t that something. I never thought of it in an eternal matter….not sure why I never did.
But wow.
Another reflection piece I came across I thought was worth sharing. 1 Corinthians Chapter 16: 1-2 says, “Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of
every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that here will be no collecting when I come.” The reflection piece talks about these 2 verses and biblical stewardship. It says, “Four characteristics of stewardship are found in this passage. These attributes underscore the importance of managing God’s resources wisely.
every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that here will be no collecting when I come.” The reflection piece talks about these 2 verses and biblical stewardship. It says, “Four characteristics of stewardship are found in this passage. These attributes underscore the importance of managing God’s resources wisely.
It is periodic. Paul instructs the Corinthians to lay something aside “on the first day of every week.” The reference
here is not so much about the day-as important as it is- but about getting into a habit of giving regularly to God.
here is not so much about the day-as important as it is- but about getting into a habit of giving regularly to God.
It is personal. When it comes to the responsibility to give, the instructions in the NT are not to the church but to individual believers (“each of you”). When each member does what is right in spite of the circumstances, the church is
blessed. One day we will all stand before the Lord and give an account of our stewardship of the truth, of our time, of
our talent, and of our treasure.
blessed. One day we will all stand before the Lord and give an account of our stewardship of the truth, of our time, of
our talent, and of our treasure.
It is proportionate. Each gift was to be proportional to how each giver had prospered. This principle of graduated tithing can be traced from Abraham to Paul. Abraham commenced it (Gen 14:18-20), Jacob continued it (Gen 28:22),
Moses commanded it (Lev 27:30), Jesus commended it (Matt. 23:23), and Paul concluded it. God’s people today are
called to be faithful in their stewardship.
Moses commanded it (Lev 27:30), Jesus commended it (Matt. 23:23), and Paul concluded it. God’s people today are
called to be faithful in their stewardship.
It is purposeful. Note the final line in verse 2: “so that there will be no collecting when I come.” Paul did not want to
have to take time away from teaching and ministering to ensure the offering-he wanted it to already be done. This is
why we take a weekly offering in our churches: so that we do not have to worry whether we can afford to pay the
bills and send money to the mission field. If believers take God’s disciplined approach, they can focus their energies
on doing His work and building His kingdom.”
have to take time away from teaching and ministering to ensure the offering-he wanted it to already be done. This is
why we take a weekly offering in our churches: so that we do not have to worry whether we can afford to pay the
bills and send money to the mission field. If believers take God’s disciplined approach, they can focus their energies
on doing His work and building His kingdom.”
These really helped me grasp the scriptures I was reading, so I wanted to pass them along to you and hope they bless
you as well!
you as well!
-Makayla Nepp