BLESSINGS FOR GIVING TO THE POOR

My Dear Precious Child,
    Paul's instructions to the people in the church at Corinth about giving their offerings in support of the widows and orphans in the church and the priests who did not work professionally like Paul, Barnabas and Apollos did, he wrote to them the same instructions that he wrote to the church at Galatia.   He wrote that on the first day of each week that everyone should put aside what he or she has been able to save so that the collection would not have to be taken up when Paul arrived.  Paul was to take the collection to the church in Jerusalem for the ministry to the poor.  He said it was right that he, himself, should be the one to take the offering to the headquarters of the churches for what Peter, James and John had asked, that Paul's churches help take care of the poor.  (I Corinthians 16:1-4)
   He was expecting to stay at Corinth for a while because of his concern for the lack of maturity of the people in the Corinthian church, but the main reason was so that he could spend the winter with them and they would provide the material goods that he could use for the rest of his journey.  He said that he intended to stay at Ephesus until the feast of Pentecost and that a door had been opened for his ministry but that there were many people opposed to his taking advantage of the invitation.   Just in case, Paul instructed the Corinthians that if he sent Timothy in his place that they should welcome him with open arms and put him at ease without anyone treating him as an outsider by rejection.  Instead of rejecting Timothy, he asked that they let Timothy go back to Paul in peace.  Paul was expecting Timothy to come back and report to him.  Apollos was expected by Paul to go to the Corinthians, but he decided not to go at the time but would go later when circumstances changed for him.(I Corinthians 8:5-12)
    His closing instructions in the long letter to the Corinthian Christians was for them to stand strong in their faith, acting like mature men instead of babies, which was what he had accused them of being at the beginning of the letter.  He accentuated the instructions to stand strong in the faith by saying that they must do everything with love, as he had written in the body of the letter when he explained what Godly Love is.(I Corinthians 13)    He reminded them about the household of Stephanus, saying that they were the first fruits of the saints in Corinth and were to remain in the service of the saints.  Paul wanted the people of the Corinth church to serve under such men and under everyone who toiled with them.  He exclaimed his pleasure at having entertained Stephanas and two other saints because they made up for the absence of Paul's being with the Corinthians.   He remarked that the three men refreshed his spirit just as they did the Corinthians.  Paul recommended that the people of Corinth recognize the worth of those three men.  (verses 19-20)
   As a closing remark Paul wrote that he sent greetings from the group that met in the homes of two of the Corinthians, sending cordial greetings in the Lord.  Paul asked the people in the church at Corinth to always greet other Christians with a kiss.   As one of the  closing phrases Paul professed that anyone who does not love the Lord is cursed.  He sent his love to their congregation and then closed by asking that My favor be upon them. (I Corinthians 16:21-23)
   Paul's instructions, warnings, complaints and insight are pertinent today in My churches.  Heed all of his words from the Holy Spirit so that your life on earth will be filled with My blessings.
   Your Father of Anointed Ministries