How do I handle my contributions when I rotate between three congregations?
Question:
Greetings,
I have a question regarding the weekly contribution (I Corinthians 16:1-2).
In my city, there are three local churches of Christ that I attend regularly. Normally I'll attend one on a certain week, the next on the following week, and the third the week after that. And then I repeat the whole process. Since collections are for the saints, I give my contribution to whichever church I'm visiting that particular week. Is it wrong to attend three different locations and contribute to three different locations of the church of Christ?
Another question that I had regarding contribution: I get paid every two weeks. Since I Corinthians 16:1-2 states that collections are to be done every first day of the week, am I doing wrong by giving every two weeks instead of every first day of the week? Thank you for your time. Please help me. God bless.
Answer:
The core problem is that you are visiting three churches, but you are a member of none. Christians join a congregation and become a part of the work that congregation is involved in (Acts 9:26-28). See Christians Without Churches? and Devaluing the Local Church. Being an active, faithful member of a church solves your problem of which church to support.
"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 16:2).
Giving is as you prosper. If you only prosper every other week, then that is when you give. If you want to divide your contribution over two weeks, so you can give each week, that is fine as well.
Response:
My brother Hamilton,
Thank you for the speedy response. After reading each article I now see the importance of becoming a member of a local church. I see how dangerous it is to my spiritual life to continue neglecting membership in the local church as I have. I shall correct my errors. Thank you for illuminating my flaws with the word of God.
God bless you, my brother.
