Collection for the Saints or Collection for Preachers?
by Sewell Hall
via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15, No. 1, January 2015
A very respected and perceptive brother expressed the following in a note to the elders where he worships: “I am concerned that the collection for the saints’ is becoming ‘the collection for the preachers.’” Since others may have similar concerns, we offer the following thoughts:
It is true that the passage we most often quote to encourage giving on the first day of the week begins, “Now concerning the collection for the saints...” (I Corinthians 16:2). It is also true that collections for needy saints are featured in several chapters of the Bible. This is most certainly an important use of contributions, and in times of local emergencies, such a use of funds might well exceed the amount used for other purposes.
Most passages that deal with relief for the needy involve emergencies. In the early days of the church, there was such an emergency. Many of the converts had come from distant countries, intending to remain in Jerusalem for a limited time. Instead, they remained for months to be instructed by the apostles. Their need for food and lodging would be inevitable. Brethren in Jerusalem sacrificed their life savings to care for those needy strangers who were now their brethren (Acts 2-6). Then, after the church was scattered, continuing persecution of Hebrew brethren included the seizure of their property (Hebrews 10:34), all of this resulting in unusual poverty. This may well account for the relief sent to Judea in Acts 11:27-30 and the collection referred to in the Corinthian letters.
Circumstances in ancient times contributed to the need for frequent benevolence. They had no social security, pensions, food stamps, Red Cross, or other aid sources so common in our time. Widows were particularly vulnerable, and special consideration was given to their needs (Acts 6 and I Timothy 5). Note, however, that in the latter passage, some limitations are placed on those who need help. Only the worthiest were to be considered for continuing aid, and none were to be helped if other sources of relief were available (I Timothy 5:9-16). When assistance was given, it was to provide necessities (Romans 12:13). In I Timothy 6:8, necessities are identified as “food and covering” (probably including lodging). If these are necessities, there are very few truly poor people among us.
Every church with which this writer has had experience has responded favorably to appeals from faithful members lacking the necessities. Often, the names of those assisted are not publicized, but brethren stand ready to consider every worthy request for help. It may well be that brethren have tended to err more often by assisting than by failure to assist.
Evangelism
Although less is said in the New Testament about how evangelism was financed, considerable expenditure is clearly implied. Who paid for Paul's journeys and his companions'? Travel was not free. How were the apostles able to give themselves ”to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4)? How were five teachers able to serve in Antioch (Acts 11:26 and 13:1)? How was Timothy able to remain in Ephesus (I Timothy 1:3)? Paul’s answer is in I Corinthians 9:14: “So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel” (NASB). This is the concluding argument of others found in six previous verses.
Some of the funds doubtless came from individuals: “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches” (Galatians 6:6). John commended Gaius for helping those who “went forth for the sake of the Name.” He added, “Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth” (III John 5-8 NASB).
Paul indeed labored with his hands to support himself in Corinth. Any preacher should be willing to do this if necessary. Most foreign countries, however, would not allow American preachers to support themselves with secular work. It was apparently some hindrance for Paul, for “when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word” (Acts 18:5). Paul referred to this as robbing other churches to serve the Corinthians (II Corinthians 11:8). How did those churches obtain the funds? The scriptures do not say, but the only approved fundraising method for any purpose revealed in the New Testament is free-will offerings on the first day of the week. Churches should limit their support to men known by them to be both zealous evangelists and frugal managers of what they receive. Such men should be supported, not as a favor to them, but that we may be “fellow workers with the truth.” If the church is the “pillar and support of the truth” (I Timothy 3:15), is it unreasonable that expenditures for evangelism should dominate the budget, especially in prosperous times? To cease support of those who go “forth for the sake of the Name” would be to turn out the light of truth in many dark places.
