Author : Keith Sharp
When I was a beginning preacher, the treasurer of the congregation was a local bank president. He gave one dollar a week to the church and expected the church to balance its budget accordingly. Before long, I had to look for another place to preach or starve.
It is my experience that brethren don’t like lessons on giving. They think the preacher just wants more money. There are greedy preachers, but there are also stingy brethren. My duty is “to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:26-27), and the collection is certainly a part of the divine will.
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).
What is the New Testament pattern for financing the work of the local church?
What? – “the collection for the saints”
Some contend that, since 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 specifically discusses a collection for needy saints, the church should only take a collection for this purpose. But other passages demand that the church have a treasury (e.g., Philippians 4:15-16) and authorize this money to be used for work other than relief of the needy (Ibid). In fact, preaching and teaching divine truth, not feeding the hungry, is the primary function of the church (1 Timothy 3:14-15).
Other brethren contend the church should only take a collection when a need arises. But this would necessitate special collections, the very thing Paul forbids – “that there be no collections when I come.” When all the lost are won to Christ, all needy saints are cared for, all Christians have been built up to the stature of Christ, and Christians no longer need to assemble to worship, then there will be no need for a collection.
Many scriptures tell us how the church may use its money, but 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 is the only passage which reveals how the church may raise its money. This is an apostolic command – “as I have given orders” (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:37). The directive is general in scope – “to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also.” Thus, this passage by itself is the exclusive, divine pattern for how the church is to finance its work (2 Timothy 1:13). Therefore, it is wrong for the church to raise money in any other way (2 John 9). Special collections, sales, fund raising events, etc. are unauthorized and sinful.
When? – “On the first day of the week”
There should be a collection for the church every first day of the week – “On the first day of every week” (New American Standard Bible). But there must not be a collection on any other day.
Who? – “each one of you”
The “you” are the members of “the church of God which is at Corinth” (1 Corinthians 1:2). Each member of the local church is responsible for helping finance the work of the local church of which he/she is a member. Each one of us as a member of the local congregation has fellowship in the collective work of this church to the extent he gives of his means toward these endeavors (2 Corinthians 8:4). The only congregation you are obligated to financially support is the one of which you are a member, but you are obligated to contribute to it. This implies each member should plan to make up missed contributions when he is away. How else may the church set and maintain a budget?
How? – “lay something aside”
Some contend this is simply a private laying up at home. But Paul specifically calls this a “collection.” This word is “used chiefly of religious collections for a god, a temple, etc., just as St. Paul uses it of his collection of money for the ‘saints’ at Jerusalem” (Deissman, 105, so Kittel. 4:282-283). Storing up at home would violate Paul’s purpose – “that there be no collections when I come.” The phrase “lay something aside” emphasizes that the individuals members are to purpose ahead how much to give, rather than to give haphazardly (cf. 2 Corinthians 9:7a).
How Much? – “storing up as he may prosper”
The Old Testament rule was the tithe (Hebrews 7:5). The law of Christ does not specify an amount or a percentage. Rather, the Lord addresses our hearts, giving us principles and attitudes to govern our giving (2 Corinthians 8:12; 9:6-7).
Why? – “that there be no collections when I come.”
This commandment gives us an orderly arrangement for the finances of the local church so that no emergency collections are needed. “God is not the author of confusion” (1 Corinthians 14:33).
Conclusion
Are you aware of what we are trying to do as a congregation? Are you trying to help meet these goals? We can do so much! (Matthew 9:36-38) Are you having fellowship in this great endeavor?
Works Cited
Deissman, Adolf, Light from the Ancient East.
Kittel, Gerhard, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament.
