1 Corinthians 16:1-12 Click here for Bible Verses

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is 1 Corinthians 16:1-12.  Let’s go!

1 Corinthians 16:1-12 (NIV)
1  Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do.
2  On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
3  Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.
4  If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.
5  After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you–for I will be going through Macedonia.
6  Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go.
7  I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.
8  But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost,
9  because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.
10  If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am.
11  No one, then, should refuse to accept him. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.
12  Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.

On verses 1-12:  In 1 Corinthians 16:1-12, Paul shares his plans with his church in Corinth.  Notice how intentional and thoughtful Paul is in his planning.  Whether it’s about giving and collecting offerings (v1-4), about his travels and how he spends his time (v5-8), about how to treat his own disciples like Timothy (v10-11) or how to lead and take care of the church (v12), Paul explores different options, considers their advantages and disadvantages, and carefully plans out his steps.

What can we learn from this?  Whether it’s in regard to your ministry, your family, your finances, the way you give, your future, or your friendships, be a thoughtful planner.

Beware the misconception that spiritual leadership is all about “feeling the Holy Spirit” and nothing more.  Those who think this way will try to make it seem as though thoughtful planning is somehow unspiritual, that to plan means you’re not trusting God, and that it is more spiritual and supernatural to be spontaneous than to be strategic.  Their idea is that Christians and churches should not make many plans; they should just go where they feel the Holy Spirit is going.  Beware this kind of thinking.

The fact is that following Christ and leading God’s people, just like leading a family, require loving preparation, planning, thoughtfulness and intentionality.  If you try leading a family without these things, you and those you lead will find yourselves on an unhealthy, feelings-driven roller coaster ride.  Yes, there’s a place for spontaneity and allowing God to interrupt our original plans when necessary.  But if you think that leadership and spirituality are all about spontaneity, then you and those you lead will not be very healthy and you won’t last very long; eventually you’ll fizzle out.

You’ll find that the best Christian leaders do not simply chase feelings, but plan thoughtfully, asking the Holy Spirit to guide them and seeking Him for wisdom to make the best plans. In doing so, they maximize their effectiveness, minimize their mistakes, and earn the trust and respect of those they lead over the long term.

What area in your life is God encouraging you to be a more thoughtful planner?

Heavenly Father, You are the greatest planner who has ever existed.  Thank You for giving me the capacity to plan too.  Please give me wisdom to plan well so that I can bear the maximum fruit for Your glory.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!