Instructions for Giving

On the first day of the week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collection be made when I come.  1 Corinthians 16:2  NASB

As he may prosper – Paul assumes the assembly at Corinth understands the obligation to care for others.  He doesn’t have to explain the theological motivation for a “collection for the saints” (verse 1).  But he does give instructions about how the Corinthians are to prepare for this.  His instructions seem to apply to us as well.  After all, we care about those in the body.  We care about meeting the needs of fellow servants.  But we also care about keeping Torah.  Paul’s advice helps us.

First, Paul suggests putting aside money at the beginning of the week.  In other words, prepare for the coming requirement.  Don’t wait until the day of need arrives.  Store up in advance because you know the time will come when you will be asked to deliver.  Put aside something for that day.  Do it regularly.  Do it first.

Ah, but there’s a condition.  “As he may prosper” is the Greek phrase ean euodotai.  The particle, ean, could be translated “if, when, whenever.”  It expresses an uncertain condition.  In other words, whenever such and such a condition is met, then do the following.  What is that condition?  It is euodoo—to prosper.  Literally it means, “to lead on the good path, to guide well.”  While it is hardly found prior to its use in the LXX, it commonly means “to succeed” in the LXX.  It is used only four times in the apostolic writings.  According to Michaelis, the word is “unlikely” a reference to profit.  He reasons that since Paul describes a weekly “savings,” it must be about “sacrifice,” not gain.[1]  But this seems to impose meaning on the rare word that isn’t found in the text.  If Paul meant this collection to be entirely sacrificial, why add the condition?  Why not just say, “Put aside something at the beginning of every week”?  No, Paul adds the condition to acknowledge that the collection for the saints (the obligatory saving) depends on economic circumstances.  Rabbi Sha’ul would never require someone in desperate need to give from a state of poverty.  What Sha’ul suggests is that this collection be given from success, from prosperity.  In other words, set something aside from the excess.  Michaelis imposes a Catholic tithe mentality on this word.  It is not justified.  In every other case where the word appears, it is about success, not sacrifice.

Here’s the lesson.  There were very specific goals for the tithe.  Those goals almost always involved help for the poor.  With extremely limited exception, there is virtually no tithe to support an edifice or a hierarchy.  That doesn’t mean we are not allowed to give voluntarily.  It means there is no commandment about buildings and professionals.  But there are needs.  And, according to Sha’ul, these needs are to be met by saving from the excess.  Take care of yourself according to your needs (not desires).  Do not become a burden on others.  Then, from the success you have, give.  Set aside something from the     excess so that in the day of someone’s need, it will be readily available.  God’s provision in your life is accompanied by the expectation that when you have more than you need, you will steward His blessing by anticipating the need of another.

Topical Index:  as he may prosper, ean euodotai, euodoo, success, tithe, 1 Corinthians 16:2

[1]W. Michaelis, hodos, TDNT (Abridged), p. 672.