👉 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.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Corinthians 16:2. It’s a really important message about how we should prepare for Christ's return. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it’s saying: “Don’t hoard anything – possessions, good things, or even time – until Jesus returns.” Let’s unpack it a little further: “Upon the first [day] of the week…” - This refers to the beginning of Sunday. It’s a specific day designated as holy in Christianity. “…let every one of you lay by him…” – This means everyone should be thinking about and preparing for Jesus' return. It's encouraging us all to be proactive. "...in store, as God hath prospered him." - This is a clever way of saying "save this for later" or “put it aside.” The word "prospered" means to be successful or blessed. So, the verse suggests that God has made Jesus’ return successful . It’s like He’s preparing a good harvest – we need to save something valuable for the future. "...that there be no gatherings when I come." - This is the key part! It means that when Jesus returns, we should not hoard anything while He's here. We shouldn't be overly focused on our own wants and worries during His time on Earth. Instead, we need to focus on being ready for what’s coming. What does this mean practically? It’s a reminder that God is working in all of our lives, and when He returns, everything will be settled and complete. It encourages us to: Be grateful: We should appreciate God's plan and His work in our lives. Focus on what’s important: Don’t get distracted by things that aren’t truly valuable. Prepare for the future: Think about what we need to do to be ready when Jesus returns. In a nutshell, this verse is urging us to be diligent in our preparation and not become overly focused on earthly possessions while Christ is here. Do you want me to explain any of these parts further or perhaps connect it to a specific biblical context?