The final chapter of I Corinthians contains Paul's final advice.
16:1-4 Paul's life purpose and mission was to bring this philosophy to the world and he never accepted money for doing it. His advice was for the churches to collect charity donated to the church and to give it to a source which could do the most good with it in the most effective way.
Paul's example to us is that our good deeds and the purpose of our lives should not be driven by or influenced by money. Obviously people need jobs and money to provide for themselves and their families... Paul's work was an exceptional case. Yet when we do good in the world, like Paul, it should be done humbly and without the stipulation that we get paid for it.
16:5-7 God-willing, Paul plans to visit the Corinthians at a time when he can stay with them rather than rush a quick pass-through. Paul includes "If the Lord permits" and reminds us that our own plans are short-sighted. If our plans appear to have be thwarted, having placed our trust in God, it will have been for a good reason.
16:8 Paul is on a mission. Paul is working. While he would love to visit with his friends, he willingly follows and works the course of his purpose on earth. One of the greatest lessons we can learn from Paul is to appreciate our time and opportunity here and to use it well. Paul is not stationary: not physically, not spiritually. He's constantly growing his faith as well as the faith of others. We may not all be apostles like Paul but we certainly have our own missions, our own purposes, our own time in which to focus on them... and to keep working.
16:10-12 Paul introduces Timothy and Apollos, fellow apostles and establishes a peaceful landing pad for them with the Corinthians. Paul needed to move along but God always keeps a helper and a comforter near us (in various forms), John 14:16.
16:13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong: Be observant, this world and everything in it is part of a classroom tailored specifically to our growth. Be agile in faith, constantly, actively expanding your perspective and your compassion. Have courage because the best lessons, the lessons which propel us to such great heights are the lessons which require the most out of us. Utilize the strength within yourself as well as the strength of God who loves you. With His assurance, you endure all.
16:14 Let all that you do be done with love: Do not let the complexity of life distract you from the simple, core principle that the earth, the universe, Spirit was created with and by and for compassion. When you are unsure, fall back on love. On the characteristics and qualities of love: patience, hope, justice, joy.
16:15-16 Work with each other. We are participants of the same mission.
16:17-16:18 Acknowledge the people (and things and experiences) who refresh your spirit, the people who supply you with what you are deficient of. Create nourishing relationships and friendships. Be respectful of but also grateful for humanity. We are each other's pillar.
16:19-21 A goodbye from Paul, who encourages the recipients of this letter to greet others with a holy kiss... with a faithful show of compassion and appreciation.
16:22 Remember what Jesus is the embodiment of: compassion, patience, wisdom, truth, justice, hope, life. Let anyone and anything contradictory to those things fail.
And similarly as Paul finishes his first epistle,
16:23 Grace be with you.
16:24 My love be with you all in this beautiful philosophical life. Amen.
