Growing Together: A Call to Generosity and Maturity

Summary

As we come to the close of our journey through 1 Corinthians, we find ourselves reflecting on a church that, despite its many struggles and dysfunctions, was still deeply loved by God and called to greater things. Paul’s final words in chapter 16 are not just a wrap-up, but a commissioning—a call to keep moving forward, to keep growing, and to keep striving to be a church that is “firing on all cylinders.” He doesn’t write off the Corinthians for their failures; instead, he acknowledges their genuine faith and encourages them to address their issues with hope and perseverance.

One of the first marks of a healthy, thriving church that Paul highlights is generosity. The Corinthians, even with all their messiness, had a desire to give and support their brothers and sisters in need. Paul’s instructions about giving are not corrective but instructive—he commends their willingness and gives practical guidance: generosity should be purposeful, planned, personal, and proportionate. It’s not about hitting a number or a percentage, but about the heart behind the giving. God is after our hearts, not our quotas. Whether we have much or little, each of us is invited to participate, to start somewhere, and to let our giving be a reflection of God’s grace at work in us.

Paul also points to the importance of being gracious in our mission. The work of the gospel is bigger than any one church or location. Sometimes, that means being willing to send resources or people elsewhere, trusting that God’s kingdom is advancing in ways we may not always see firsthand. It’s about holding our own needs with open hands and celebrating the opportunities God gives us to partner in His work, both near and far.

But generosity and mission must be grounded in a strong, healthy ministry at home. Paul’s exhortation to “be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong, and let all that you do be done in love” is a call to spiritual maturity and resilience. The real work begins not when we finish reading the letter, but as we put these truths into practice—standing firm in the truth, loving one another, and growing together.

Finally, Paul reminds us to recognize and honor those among us who quietly and faithfully serve. These are the unsung heroes who model Christlike devotion and encourage the whole body. As we look to them, we’re reminded that the church is not perfect, but it is called to keep growing in maturity, step by step, by God’s grace.

Key Takeaways

- Generosity is a matter of the heart, not just the wallet. True generosity is purposeful, planned, personal, and proportionate. It’s not about meeting a quota or percentage, but about responding to God’s grace with open hands and a willing spirit. Each of us is called to participate, regardless of our means, and to let our giving reflect our trust in God’s provision. [14:42]

- The mission of the church extends far beyond our own walls. We are called to be gracious in our mission, recognizing that God’s work is bigger than any one congregation. Sometimes this means sending resources or people elsewhere, trusting that God is at work in places we may never see, and celebrating the opportunities to partner in the global advance of the gospel. [24:51]

- Spiritual strength and maturity are essential for effective ministry. Paul’s call to be watchful, stand firm, act with courage, and do everything in love is a reminder that the health of our church depends on our commitment to truth and to one another. The real work of transformation begins as we put these commands into practice, both individually and collectively. [27:58]

- Faithful service often goes unnoticed, but it is vital to the life of the church. Paul encourages us to recognize and honor those who quietly devote themselves to serving others. These models of faithfulness inspire us to follow their example, reminding us that the strength of the church is found in the everyday acts of love and sacrifice by ordinary people. [31:24]

- Growth in maturity is a continual process for both individuals and the church as a whole. There is no perfect church, but there is always room to grow. As we pursue Christlikeness together, we are called to take one step at a time, trusting God’s grace to lead us forward and shape us into a community that reflects His glory. [34:25]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Gratitude for the Journey Through 1 Corinthians
[03:15] - The Tone of Paul’s Closing Words
[04:19] - Generosity: Purposeful Giving
[10:14] - Planned and Intentional Generosity
[12:03] - Personal and Proportionate Giving
[14:42] - The Heart of Generosity
[17:50] - Practical Steps Toward Generosity
[19:14] - Stretching and Sustaining Generosity
[21:10] - Graciousness in Mission
[24:51] - The Mission Beyond Our Walls
[26:30] - Grounded in Ministry: Standing Firm
[27:58] - Spiritual Strength and Love
[29:55] - The Real Work Begins
[31:24] - Honoring Faithful Servants
[33:27] - Growing in Maturity Together
[34:55] - Final Encouragement and Closing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: 1 Corinthians 16 – Firing on All Cylinders

---

### Bible Reading

- 1 Corinthians 16:1-24
(Paul’s closing instructions to the Corinthian church, focusing on generosity, mission, spiritual strength, honoring faithful servants, and ongoing growth.)

---

### Observation Questions

1. What specific instructions does Paul give the Corinthians about their giving in verses 1-4? What are the key words or phrases that describe how their generosity should look?
2. In verses 5-12, what reasons does Paul give for not visiting Corinth right away? How does he describe his priorities and the church’s role in the bigger mission?
3. According to verses 13-14, what are the five commands Paul gives for how the church should live and serve together?
4. Who are the people Paul highlights as examples of faithful service in verses 15-18, and what does he say about them?

---

### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Paul emphasizes that generosity should be purposeful, planned, personal, and proportionate, rather than just about hitting a number or percentage? What does this reveal about God’s priorities for our giving? [14:42]
2. Paul talks about being gracious in mission, even when it means sending resources or people elsewhere. What does this say about how we should view our own church’s needs compared to the needs of the wider body of Christ? [24:51]
3. In verses 13-14, Paul calls the church to be watchful, stand firm, act with courage, be strong, and do everything in love. Why do you think he puts “love” at the end of this list? How does love connect to the other commands? [27:58]
4. Paul encourages the church to recognize and honor those who serve faithfully but quietly. Why is it important for a church to notice and appreciate these “unsung heroes”? What effect might this have on the whole church? [31:24]

---

### Application Questions

1. When you think about your own giving—whether it’s money, time, or resources—would you say it’s purposeful, planned, personal, and proportionate? Is there one of these areas where you feel challenged to grow? What’s one step you could take this week to move forward? [14:42]
2. Paul says that generosity is about the heart, not about meeting a quota. Are there ways you’ve been tempted to give just to “check a box” or meet an expectation? How can you shift your mindset to give out of gratitude and trust in God’s provision? [14:42]
3. Our church is part of a bigger mission that goes beyond our own walls. Can you think of a time when you or our church had to “let go” of something (resources, people, opportunities) for the sake of God’s work elsewhere? How did that feel, and what did you learn from it? [24:51]
4. Paul calls us to be watchful, stand firm, act with courage, be strong, and do everything in love. Which of these is hardest for you right now? What’s one practical way you can put this into practice in your relationships or ministry this week? [27:58]
5. Who are some people in our church who quietly serve and make a big difference, even if they don’t get much recognition? How can you encourage or thank them this week? Is there someone you want to intentionally honor or learn from? [31:24]
6. Paul reminds us that growth in maturity is a continual process, and there’s no perfect church. What’s one area where you want to grow in spiritual maturity? How can the group support you in taking a next step? [34:25]
7. Looking back over the whole letter of 1 Corinthians, what’s one lesson or challenge that has stuck with you? How do you want to live differently because of it? [34:55]

---

Devotional

Day 1: Purposeful and Planned Generosity
Generosity in the church is not random or haphazard, but intentional and directed toward meeting real needs among God’s people. Paul commends the Corinthians for their desire to help the struggling believers in Jerusalem, instructing them to give with purpose and to plan their giving as part of their regular worship. This kind of generosity is thoughtful, not impulsive, and seeks to make a tangible difference in the lives of others, reflecting God’s own purposeful provision for us. [04:19]

1 Corinthians 16:1-2 (ESV)
Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to plan your generosity, making it a regular and intentional part of your worship rather than an afterthought?


Day 2: Generosity Is for Everyone—Personal and Proportionate
Paul calls every believer, regardless of their means, to participate in generosity, emphasizing that giving is not about hitting a certain percentage or amount, but about the heart and willingness to give as God has prospered each person. True generosity is measured not by digits or quotas, but by a spirit of open-handedness and trust in God’s provision, inviting each of us to start where we are and to stretch as God leads. [13:26]

1 Corinthians 16:2 (ESV)
On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

Reflection: Is there something in your life you could give up or adjust in order to begin (or increase) your participation in meeting the needs of others in your church family?


Day 3: Graciousness in Mission—Seeing Beyond Ourselves
A church that is firing on all cylinders recognizes that the mission of the gospel is bigger than its own walls, and is willing to be gracious and flexible in supporting God’s work wherever He opens doors, even if it means personal sacrifice or waiting for our own needs to be met. This graciousness allows us to celebrate and support the work of others, partner in ministry, and trust that God’s kingdom is advancing in ways we may not always see firsthand. [22:37]

1 Corinthians 16:5-9 (ESV)
I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

Reflection: Who is someone serving God outside your immediate circle whom you can encourage, pray for, or support this week as a way of participating in God’s bigger mission?


Day 4: Grounded in Ministry—Standing Firm in Truth and Love
Paul urges the church to be watchful, to stand firm in the faith, to be strong, and to let everything be done in love, reminding us that effective ministry flows from a foundation of truth, spiritual alertness, and genuine care for others. In a world full of distractions and competing voices, we are called to be rooted in God’s Word, to know what we believe, and to minister from a place of conviction and compassion, always seeking to build up the body of Christ. [27:58]

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (ESV)
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

Reflection: What is one area of your faith where you need to stand firmer or act more courageously, and how can you do so in a spirit of love this week?


Day 5: Growing in Maturity—Following Faithful Models and Moving Forward Together
The journey of the church is one of continual growth, both individually and collectively, as we follow the example of faithful servants and encourage one another toward greater Christlikeness. No church is perfect, but by recognizing and honoring those who quietly serve, and by committing ourselves to take the next step in maturity, we become a community that reflects God’s grace and keeps moving forward for His glory. [34:25]

Hebrews 6:1 (ESV)
Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.

Reflection: Who is a faithful servant in your church you can thank or learn from this week, and what is one step you can take to grow in spiritual maturity?

Quotes

God could make all this happen without our money, but he's after our hearts. Are you slave to what God has given you? Are you slave to the resources that God's given? Do you hold them so tightly? Do you see them as opportunities to give to others? That's where Paul says, let's step in and be part of these things. [00:17:45] (00:00:22 seconds) Edit Clip

The mission's far bigger than one single place, and so on a very real practical takeaway, we live this all the time. We get to be gracious with the mission because it's not just about here. It's not just about these walls. It's about a gospel. It's about the kingdom of God being proclaimed to the uttermost parts of the world, locally and globally. [00:25:19] (00:00:24 seconds) Edit Clip

Be watchful for all the doctrines that are going to lead you astray. Be watchful for all those things that are going to veer you off course. Stand your ground. Be firm in these things. Gracious. And he ends up by saying, all that you'd be do, all that be done, be done in love, right? So it's not that we're saying, you're saying, hey, be strong and just start beating people up. He's like, care about people. But know the truth. Stand on the truth. Live in the truth. Don't deviate from the truth. [00:27:58] (00:00:29 seconds) Edit Clip

God's called us to something pretty incredible. It's by his grace that we get to engage with this at all. So let's rise to the occasion. Let's step into the calling that God's placed on us as a church, as individuals, and be faithful in it. [00:30:00] (00:00:19 seconds) Edit Clip

No generous church is just a generous church. It's a generous church made up of generous people. No faithful church is just a faithful church. It's a church made up of faithful people. So grow into Christ's likeness. Grow and follow him closely. As a church, let's continue one step in front of the other to just keep moving forward in maturity, day by day, by the grace of God to his glory. [00:34:39] (00:00:28 seconds) Edit Clip