1Corinthians 16:1-4 comments: taking up a collection for the suffering church at Jerusalem

16:1 ¶  Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2  Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 3  And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. 4  And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

Here is evidence that Christians met on the first day of the week just as the followers of Christ met at the empty tomb on the first day of the week.

Matthew 28:1  In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

Mark 16:2  And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun…9  Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

Luke 24:1  Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

John 20:1  The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

Paul does not want any collections taken while he is there. He plans on taking what the Corinthians have willingly given to support the suffering church at Jerusalem. We know that a famine was predicted in Acts 11.

Acts 11:27 ¶  And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 28  And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29  Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: 30  Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Paul says that the Corinthians should give as God has prospered them, which he expounds on later in 2Corinthians 9. We will discuss that passage in relation to the idea of tithing then. Here is not weekly collections for parking lots, basketball courts, or remodeling church buildings, which did not exist until the second century, but for assisting other churches in need. They would not be able to send a money order or a bank transfer, as we can today, but they would select men to take the money physically to Jerusalem. Paul would go, as well, if necessary.