The contribution is an important part of our service to God. It’s the way that the church receives funds to do work. These funds are used for various things including support missionaries, preaching schools, children’s homes, local evangelism, benevolence, building repair, etc. Contributing back to the work of the church is a scriptural concept, but the way we do it may not be familiar. Let’s learn more.
The Command
1 Corinthians 16:1-2 tell us some important things:
- The early church was told to give
- Those funds would be used for suffering saints (christians) in Jerusalem
- They were to give on the first day of the week (Sunday)
- They were to give as they had prospered
The Action
When you visit with us, we will take up a collection. This collection is an opportunity for the members to give back to God as God has blessed them.will be several public prayers. Since the example given in scripture is that the membership of the congregation would give, visitors are not expected to contribute.
The Reasons
The church is expected to do good works. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are ” His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” To perform good works, we need to be able to play for them. Of course, there are good works we can do that require no money, but many things we do will require money. Buying food for food pantries, helping the less fortunate, buying bible study materials, community service, disaster relief, and proving a place to worship all require money to maintain.
It is also scriptural to pay a preacher: 1 Corinthians 9:14 says “So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.” So, another need for money it to pay the preacher.
The Method
While in public worship, the contribution is often collected close to the same time the Lord’s Supper is distributed. This is done for expediency since the men passing out the Lord’s Supper are already gathered. Sometimes, there will be a collection basket or box available for members to put their contribution in.
Whether the collection basket is passed around or not, there will be a prayer for the collection. This prayer asks God to give us wisdom in the distribution of the collected funds. It also thanks Him for His many blessings.
Many places talk about “tithing”. Tithing is an Old Testament term that basically means to give 10%, however there were many other guidelines around tithing. In the New Testament, we are told to give cheerfully as we have been prospered. When we give, we have no set amount that is required. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says “‘Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Your contribution is between you and God. No man has the right to tell you how much you should give or berate you for how much you are giving. It is a gift from your heart.
Again, visitors are not expected to give. If you are visiting from another congregation of the churches of Christ, we are happy that you are with us! Please make your contribution to your home congregation when you get home. If you are not a member of the church of Christ, we would love to study with you! You are not expected to donate to the contribution.
1 Corinthians 16:1-2 ~ 1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. 2 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.