What should be done about contributions while traveling?
Question:
Hello preacher,
Our congregation has recently been studying Christian giving, especially from I Corinthians 16. We understand that if a member misses a Sunday service, they should try to make up their contribution the following week.
A question has come up: If a brother or sister misses service because they were visiting another congregation, what should they do about their giving? Should they keep their contribution and bring it to their home congregation when they return, or is it acceptable to give their contribution to the congregation they visited and not make it up later? We are trying to understand this in light of the teaching that giving is normally done within one’s local congregation.
Thank you for your guidance in God's Word.
Answer:
Contributions are required of Christians, but the amount given is up to each Christian and not the church. "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come" (I Corinthians 16:1-2). I typically work with small congregations that always have a tight budget, so my wife and I save our contributions when we are away to give them when we return. I know other brethren who give to help the work wherever they are, and others who split their contribution a bit while traveling.
