Now Concerning the Collection of the Saints

Russ Earl

      The “collection” is a sore subject for many brethren. When some hear these words, they squirm in their seats and often times think “great, here they go again”! However, in 1Corinthians 16:1-2, we read the words of Paul to the Corinthians concerning the collection. He gives a clear explanation in how the collection should be done. We are to “lay aside” the things we have prospered. It is to be purposed for the Lord’s church. Not simply a last minute “Hey, you got a buck” type of attitude. It hurts and saddens us when we see congregations with such low or what could be called “weak” contribution. We cannot do the work God intended to the best of our ability if we do not give to the best of our ability. We should not be upset when we hear the church is unable to host a meeting due to lack of funds; we should be shocked and sadden by it. If we desire to host such events and desire to spread the word of God, then we must give the best we can. We must purpose all we can, and we must pray others will also.

      We are told to do this on the first day of the week, not every time we assemble. It is becoming a custom in some places that the collection plate is passed at every assembly time. While we want to do the work God intended for us, we cannot do it with the attitude that it is the “price of admission” when others walk in the door. If we give as a “cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7), then there is no reason to pass the collection more than on the first day of the week.

      When the collection is taken, then it must be used for the work of the church. We read an example of those who collected, but then, did not use the funds they received in 2Kings 12:4-14. The king questions the priests when he realizes nothing has been used for the temple “Why repair ye not the breaches of the house”? The funds which had been collected were to repair the temple. However, at the king’s twenty-third year of reign, he realized nothing had been repaired. It is troubling when members do not give as they should, its sickening when congregations do not use the money for the church, instead they used it to “pad” the bank account. There is no sin in money being held in the bank for emergencies, however, how many “emergencies” are we afraid will happen at one time.

      How sad it would be for us to ask a church for help and discover they have hidden money away for a “rainy day.” The church is here to help those in need who are worthy of help. We are not here to make ourselves into a multi-hundred thousand dollar organization. When we give to our congregation, we should do so because we desire to have a part in the work of the church. We do not give as we should when we hear a lesson we agree with, and not give when we hear things that should cause us to repent.

      The collection is done first, because Christ commanded us to “lay aside and store” we know this as we hear the words of Christ through the apostle Paul. Second Christ said “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2Corinthians 9:7). If Christ loves a cheerful giver, then in order for Christ to love us for the way we give, we must give “not grudgingly or of necessity.” Let us keep in mind when we give, we give for the work of the church, for the furthering of His Kingdom, for the workers of our congregation, and for those our congregation has chosen to support. It’s not about how we feel about our giving, it’s about how Christ feels about our giving. Would Christ be pleased with our giving? Let us purpose in our hearts to give as a cheerful giver and because we love our Lord.