collections – La Vista Church of Christ

Collection for the Saints or Collection for Preachers?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 16:37:57 +0000

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.

Can non-believers contribute to the church?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 22:39:52 +0000

Question:

We recently discussed donations in the church, and I was wondering if you could provide any scriptural basis for them. Can a non-member or unbeliever donate money to the church? Can the church use that donation from him or her?

Thanks!

Answer:

While the topic is not specifically addressed in the Scriptures, we can draw some conclusions about the matter. Non-Christians do attend services at times. I Corinthians 14:23-25 talks about unbelievers who come to the assembly. If those visitors wish to sing with the congregation or bow their heads in prayer with the congregation, we don't tell them they must leave.

In the Old Testament, there were specific laws for how to deal with non-Israelites coming to the worship:

"If an alien sojourns with you, or one who may be among you throughout your generations, and he wishes to make an offering by fire, as a soothing aroma to the LORD, just as you do so he shall do. As for the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the alien who sojourns with you, a perpetual statute throughout your generations; as you are, so shall the alien be before the LORD. There is to be one law and one ordinance for you and for the alien who sojourns with you" (Numbers 15:14-16).

We also have examples of Gentiles contributing to the synagogues and the Israelites:

"When He had completed all His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum. And a centurion's slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders asking Him to come and save the life of his slave. When they came to Jesus, they earnestly implored Him, saying, "He is worthy for You to grant this to him; for he loves our nation and it was he who built us our synagogue" (Luke 7:1-5).

"Now there was a man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually" (Acts 10:1-2).

Given these, I see no reason to say that a non-Christian is to be prevented from contributing to the church. Members are required to support the work of the church, but for non-members, it is their decision.

Were collections taken before and after the collection for the needy in Judea?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 21:16:56 +0000

Question:

Dear Jeffrey,

I have a question: did the church at Corinth collect offering every first day of the week before Paul wrote to them. After Paul and his team picked what the Corinthian church donated, did they continue to take collection every first day of the week? If so, how do we know?

Does your Bible read: Concerning the collection that would be sent to the saints, let it be done every week? You say that the Greek Bible says every first day of the wee. What of us who do not know the Greek language, what do we do? I believe God would use the language we understand to judge us.

Answer:

"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).

A knowledge of Greek is not required to understand that the collection was done on each first day of the week (Sunday). "Every" appears in most translations. The word "every" translates the Greek word kata. Kata has a large range of meanings depending on what it is being used with. In regards to time, it means at a specific time ("at" or "on") or it can mean throughout a period ("every"). In this case, it is clear that there would be a number of Sundays between receiving the letter and Paul's arrival, so Paul was talking about every first day of the week.

Even if the translation you use says "on" instead of "every," you can deduce that every first day of the week was intended. If your boss told you payday is on Friday, you would expect a paycheck every Friday and not just one check. In the same way, a collection on Sunday implies every Sunday.

If this were the only expense, you might be able to argue that no other collections occurred. However, we know that churches had collected money for taking care of needy saints (Acts 4:34-5:11). They supported preachers (Philippians 4:15) -- in fact, Paul argued that preachers had a right to expect payment for their work (I Corinthians 9:14). We also know that some congregations met in upper rooms (rented facilities, usually above a store) (Acts 20:8). These expenses had to have been paid for from some sort of fund. Therefore, we deduce that churches collected money for other purposes at other times.

None of the other examples of collecting money mentions a timeframe. Only I Corinthians 16:1-2, specifically states that the collection for the needy in Judea was to be done on the first day of the week. This makes sense since it is the day that the church assembled for worship (Acts 20:7). Given that there is no other indication of collections on other days, we limit our collections to each first day of the week and only on the first day of the week.

Is there liberty in how we give?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 03:03:09 +0000

Question:

I have a question concerning worship. Is there liberty when it comes to some parts of worship? For example when it comes to giving, does one have to give during worship service or can someone give any time just long as it’s on a Sunday. Can a congregation decide to just give at the entrance in a box before or after worship service? Can we do two collections on Sunday?

Answer:

"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).

The collection is an action commanded of the church; thus, implied is that the collection is taken when the church is gathered. Paul talked to the Corinthians about "when you come together as a church" (I Corinthians 11:18) in regards to the partaking of the Lord's Supper. Later he spoke of "the whole church assembles together" (I Corinthians 14:23) for worship. Therefore, we can assume that the collection is taken as a part of that assembly on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7).

How the collection is to be taken is not mentioned; thus, a congregation can decide what works best for their particular situation. I have been in churches that passes a collection plate and ones that had a collection box for members to deposit their contributions.

From what we know of the churches during the first century, they tended to meet once on Sundays. Because of modern work schedules that can include working on Sundays, many churches shifted to meeting twice on Sunday so that all members have a chance to meet with their brethren at least once. There is nothing in the command for the collection that indicates it has to be done at the same time on the first day of the week.

Was the collection in I Corinthians 16:1-2 really worship?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 01:22:00 +0000

Question:

The church I attend teaches that the collection in I Corinthians 16:1-2 is not part of the worship service. They say Paul commanded that to help the church in Jerusalem, not to worship by giving. What is your comment about that?

Answer:

The same giving is discussed in II Corinthians 8 and 9, where we can read: "Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (II Corinthians 9:10-15).

What is worship? "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:23-24).

It is something a man does that is giving praise and honor to God.
It is limited to things that God has told men to do to worship Him.
And it requires a proper attitude by men toward God while doing what God has directed.

Does the giving that included aiding the destitute in Judea match this definition?

It gives praise and honor to God. "... is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God ..."
It was commanded by God. "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). The apostle Paul wrote by the command of God. This was not his idea or suggestion. That is why the praise is going to God and not to Paul. "... they will glorify God for your obedience ..."
The participants had a proper attitude toward God. "... your righteousness ... your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all ... because of the surpassing grace of God in you."

Are special contributions scriptural?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 23:19:00 +0000

Question:

Concerning collections: is it a good practice supported by Scripture to set aside "Special Giving Days" for specific purposes on the first day of the week in addition to the regular collection? This practice seems to contradict what a treasury is for in the work of the church. I respect your knowledge and work in the Word in that you can shed some more light or knowledge on this subject.

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).

The typical purpose of multiple, special collections is to get more funds than would normally be collected. A person gives his usual amount to the general collection (which always comes first so that it is not compromised by the special collections). Then a variety of special collections are taken up, each with its own plea and the peer pressure to give because others are also giving. This method changes the nature of giving from a voluntary, pre-planned gift to an impulsive decision based on pressure. "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver" (II Corinthians 9:7).

Using multiple collections also changes the decision-making process. Instead of a single treasury where the church, as a whole, decides how to accomplish the work God has laid out for the church, multiple collections have each individual deciding what activities will get funding. Thus popular activities become easier to fund rather than considering what is needful to accomplish.

This doesn't mean that a church cannot announce a desire to do a special task, such as the churches in Galatia, Macedonia, and Achaia wanting to help the needy saints in Judea, so that members might give additionally if they are able toward that purpose. Such can still be done with a single collection of what each member has decided in advance to give.

Wasn’t Paul’s command to collect on the first day of the week just a coincidence?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:24:00 +0000

Question:

Again I ask where in these verses does it say anything about Sunday to be kept holy? It just seems like it is a coincidence these things happened on a Sunday. The collections in I Corinthians 16:2 was made on a Sunday because that is the customary day when Jews made payments and settled accounts. This why Paul suggested they set aside money for the famine-stricken folk in Judea. It was not because Sunday was holy, rather it was because it made sense to set aside money on that day before they paid any bills. Only the fourth commandment says anything about any day being holy.

Answer:

"One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks" (Romans 14:5-6).

The critical fact is that your argument to ignore the gathering of funds is based on speculation, not on any evidence from the Scriptures or even from external sources. Second, it assumes that the church to which it was written was composed of people following Jewish traditions. But in this particular case, we are talking about the church in Corinth -- a Greek city. Yes, there were former Jews in its membership, but it was also composed of Gentiles as well. Your speculation doesn't hold any weight in such an environment, even if it could be proven. Third, you missed that Paul gave the same orders to the churches in Galatia -- which were mostly Gentile churches.

Yes, the Israelites were told to keep the Sabbath day holy. It was a command unique to them. As Moses asked, "And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day?" (Deuteronomy 4:8). Or as the Psalmist noted, "He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and His judgments to Israel. He has not dealt thus with any nation; And as for His judgments, they have not known them. Praise the LORD!" (Psalm 147:19-20). The Old Testament was unique to Israel. "The LORD did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, those who are here today, all of us who are alive" (Deuteronomy 5:3). As God said through Amos, "You only have I known of all the families of the earth" (Amos 3:2).

This was one of many reasons the covenant was replaced. A covenant designed for one nation would not serve the whole world. "Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh--who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands-- that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace" (Ephesians 2:11-15).

As Paul told the Gentiles who had become Christians in Colosse, "In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ" (Colossians 2:11-17).

The point isn't whether the Israelites were told to keep the Sabbath holy. The point is that Christians were not told to keep the Sabbath holy. Instead, they were told the opposite, that no one was to judge (condemn) them regarding keeping Jewish holidays and holy days.

Wiggle all you want, but you have failed to avoid the fact that Christians worshiped on the first day of the week.

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?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:38:00 +0000

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.

Orphans and Their Care

Jeffrey Hamilton — Thu, 01 Jan 2004 00:01:44 +0000

I. Orphans are not mentioned often in the New Testament, once to be precise, but many have developed unusual ideas about how to care for the orphans in our midst.

A. Unusual, because their teaching does not follow the plain statements of the New Testament.

B. The passage we will delve into is James 1:27.

II. The Bible’s teaching on orphans

A. Who are orphans?

1. The word means fatherless. A child without a father to support the child physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

a. Eph 6:4 - Fathers are to nurture and train their children in the ways of the Lord

b. Without a father, many important things would be missing. Of course, the most critical is a means of living.

B. Old Testament teachings may help us understand the need

1. Ex 22:22-24 - Don’t take advantage of orphans

2. Deut. 24:17 - Don’t deprive them of justice

3. God is concerned about orphans - Deut. 10:18, Ps. 68:5

C. To visit has a deeper meaning than you would first believe

1. From the Greek word, episkeptomai

a. Thayer: “to look upon or after, to inspect, examine with the eyes; . . . in order to see how he is, i.e. to visit, go see one. . . . to look upon in order to help or benefit; e.g. to look after, have a care for, provide for . . .”

b. Vine: “to look upon, care for, exercise oversight.”

(1) Note that the word episkeptomai is related to the Greek word for overseer. The word we derive the office of a bishop or elder who oversees the work of a congregation.

(2) Here a child is being overseen

2. Other uses of the word in the New Testament

a. Luke 1:68, 78-79 - Zacharias prophesied that God would visit mankind – A prophecy about the coming Messiah.

(1) Christ did not have brief chat with mankind. He did not send a representative on his behalf.

(2) Christ’s visit was a direct, personal interaction with mankind.

b. Acts 7:23-24 - Moses’ visit to his brethren involved his taking personal action in their defense.

c. Acts 15:36 - Paul and Barnabas visited the brethren directly to see how the work was progressing.

d. Matt. 25:35-36 - Visiting those in prison

(1) Not by sending gifts, but by directly interacting with those in prison

3. Vincent’s Word Studies: “James strikes a downright blow here at ministry by proxy, or by mere gifts of money. Pure and undefiled religion demands personal contact with the world’s sorrow: to visit the afflicted, and to visit them in their affliction.”

III. Can you see that placing money in the collection plate will not fulfill your duty to visit widows and orphans?

A. Ask yourself, who is James talking to? It says to “himself” that is you and I as individual Christians.

B. Yet some will say, “If it is my duty, then it must also be the church’s duty, since the church is composed of individual Christians.”

C. Is the church just a group of individual Christians?

1. I Cor 12:14 - The church is not one member, but many

2. Matt 18:15-17 - In dealing with a problem member, the church is not an individual or a group of Christians.

3. The church has distinct actions

a. It assembles - Heb. 10:25, I Cor. 14:23

b. It has membership - Acts 9:26, I Cor 5:1-6

c. It has elders to oversee it’s work - Acts 14:23, I Pet 5:1-2

d. It has a treasury - I Cor 16:2

e. It is distinct from other churches - Rom 16:16, Phil 4:15

4. As you see, the church is not just a group of Christian – it is something more.

D. Do the commandments to Christians apply to the church

1. Income

a. Individuals raise money by honest labor - Eph 4:28

b. Churches raise money by collections - I Cor 16:1-2, II Cor. 9:6-7

2. Marriage

a. Individuals marry - I Cor 7, Rom 7

b. Churches cannot marry because they are already married to Christ - Eph 5

3. There are examples where the responsibility of an individual overlaps with the responsibilities of a church.

a. But there are things an individual may do that the church cannot

b. There are things a church can do, that an individual cannot (e.g. the Lord’s Supper)

E. The Bible makes a distinction between the Christian and the church

1. I Cor 14:34-35 - Women are to be silent in the church, but may ask at home (as an individual).

2. Acts 4:35-37, 5:4 - Money was their own until they gave it to the Lord

3. I Tim 5:16 - Christian families are to support their needy widows, the church was only charged with a select group.

F. If the church is charged with the responsibility of caring for orphans, then we must be turn to the passage that gives the charge, shows the charge by example, or implies the charge to the church. No such passage exists.

IV. Those who give money to the church so the church in turn may give it to an orphan’s home is twice removed from truly visiting the fatherless in their affliction.

A. The command is to you and me.

B. The responsibility is to take a personal hand in aiding those in need. You must get your hands “dirty.”

1. Giving money to United Way will not relieve you of your responsibility.

2. Giving money to an orphan’s home will not relieve you of your responsibility

3. You need to get involved, one-on-one.

C. You see widows and orphans need financial support, but that is not all they have lost. In fact, to them it is only a small portion of their grief. They have lost their family! They need love, attention, sympathy, care – THAT is visiting.