1 Corinthians 16:1

Concerning the collection. Paul was promoting a special project on behalf of needy believers in Jerusalem (cf. 2 Cor. 8; 9). Years before he had been the bearer of a special gift for the famine-stricken from the church at Antioch (cf. on Acts 11:28–30; 12:25). Paul carried a burden on his heart for his fellow Jewish Christians (cf. Gal. 2:10).

The economic conditions and burdens in Palestine were oppressive upon both Jew and Christian. It has been estimated that the combined taxes, both civil and religious, reached the staggering total of almost 40 per cent of a person’s income. For the common people there was no hope of escaping poverty. In addition, the church in Jerusalem suffered much persecution. The majority of the believers there were poor, some of them as a result of becoming Christians (cf. Acts 4:34, 35; 6:1; 8:1; 11:28-30). They needed help from their more fortunately situated brethren in other places (see Acts 8:1; AA 70). Paul had undertaken the responsibility of soliciting help for them from other churches that he visited, and he appealed to the Corinthians to do their share by setting before them the example of their sister churches in Achaia and Macedonia (see Rom. 15:25, 26; 2 Cor. 8:1-7).

Even so, the Corinthian believers were to accept this obligation as had the Galatians. The work of helping the poor is given to the church in all ages in order that its members may develop sympathy and love, and that they may reveal to others the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ (see Luke 14:13, 14; 6T 261, 270, 273, 280; 4T 619, 620; DA 369, 370). Our attitude toward the less fortunate members of society plays a large part in determining our ultimate destiny (see Isa. 58:6-8; Matt. 25:34-46; 5T 612). Jesus Himself set the example in this work of ministering to the needs of suffering humanity; He spent more time in healing the sick than in preaching the gospel (see 4T 225; DA 350).