First day of the week
Day 607, Friday, April 10
1 Corinthians 16
As he ends his letter, Paul urges the Corinthians to continue to collect money to be sent to the church at Jerusalem to support the believers there. While this doesn’t seem to be a comprehensive teaching on Christian giving, it includes a few points that may still have relevance for us in our own giving:
“On the first day of every week…so that when I come no collections will have to be made.”
In this instruction, Paul urges people to set aside money regularly. Giving is to be an ongoing thing, not just something for special occasions.
His mention that the money should be set aside on the first day of the week may be an echo of the Old Testament teaching to give firstfruits, trusting that God will continue to provide for your needs, or it could be an indication that the first day of the week (Sunday) is when the church gathers, rather than following the Jewish practice of meeting on the last day of the week (Saturday). We know that change happened early, but not exactly when.
“…each one of you should set aside a sum of money…”
The expectation of providing financial support for fellow Christians applies to everyone in the church, not just a select few.
“…in keeping with your income…”
Paul doesn’t mention a specific percentage, perhaps being mindful of the rigid interpretation of tithing by the Pharisees, but is clear that more is expected from those who have more, and less from those who have less.

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Friday meditation

Psalms 107:1-9
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.
Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Prayer focus
We thank you, Lord, that you satisfy the thirsty and fill the hungry with good things.