Since I Corinthians 16:1-2 was only about one need, then isn’t this just an example of how a collection might be taken and not a command for us today?
Question:
I have been reading your web page and find it interesting. I came to the one on contribution and have some problems with it. Maybe you can correct my understanding. "Lay by in store so that there is no gathering when I come." This is a command or request by Paul for the churches to gather money for the church in Jerusalem. This is not a command to all churches for all time to assemble and gather money until he (Paul) comes. Paul is dead.
This is an example (not a command) for us to continue collecting money for church needs. Having this example churches are justified (as common sense dictates) in the collection on the Lord's Day.
Answer:
"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" (I Corinthians 16:1-2).
It is true that the purpose of this particular collection of funds was for Christians in Judea who were suffering from famine (Acts 11:27-30). It was a command (notice the word "orders" and "must do") that was given to churches in Galatia as well as to the Corinthians.
While the famine ended, it remains that Paul left an example of how funds were to be collected for the work of the church. The church had other works to support, such as financing the work of preachers (I Corinthians 9:14; Philippians 4:15), caring for widows (Acts 6; I Timothy 5), and other times of disasters as happened in Jerusalem.
Since we are commanded to follow the examples, "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ" (I Corinthians 11:1), and no other command or example indicates any other time frame for collecting funds, the first day of the week then become the only allowable time for collecting funds for the church.
