Giving financially to the cause of Christ is an important function for every child of God. While there is some misunderstanding about how we should give, it is certainly not because the Bible is unclear about it. Paul gives the church clear and explicit instructions.
1 Corinthians 16:1 (ESV)
1 Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do.
We notice first that Paul refers to “the collection.” This tells us that Paul is dealing with a specific collection with which the saints at Corinth are already familiar. This collection is for the poor saints of Judea, and we have several other references to it. It should be noted that references to this collection always tells us to whom the collection was to be given. It was for poor saints (Romans 15:25-27; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5; 9:1). It never has been the work of the church to relieve all the poor in society. There were plenty of poor folks throughout Judea, but the collection was given to the saints only. This is who Paul tells us specifically it is for. It was a collection, FOR THE SAINTS.”
If Paul gave the collection for those who were not saints, would that not have been dishonest? This does not mean that we are to ignore the poor of the world. We have other instructions for how we deal with them.
Galatians 6:10 (ESV)
10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
The poor of this world should not be overlooked, but the question is, who should relieve them when they are in need? The answer, so far as Christianity is concerned, is individual saints. We are to give to the poor of this world out of our personal means, not the church treasury. Isn’t this the message we get from the parable of the “Good Samaritan?” The good Samaritan did not see the man in need, run to the church and get some money from the church treasury, and then return to offer help. He used his own resources to help this man. This is what Christians are to do today so that the church can use it funds for its intended purpose. Now, when were the saints to give to this cause concerning poor saints?
1 Corinthians 16:2 (ESV)
2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.
This verse teaches us several things about how we are to give to the cause of Christ today. It actually teaches us several things about giving. Here are a couple of them.
We learn that our giving should be done on the first day of the week. While our purpose for giving might differ from the purpose they were collecting funds for in the first century, the reason behind our giving is the same, that is, to meet needs. Our need may be different than theirs, but it is still a need. Since we know when the saints gave under apostolic guidance, we must follow the same pattern when the church has a need.
We also learn from this text how much we are to give. Paul tells us to give as we have prospered. Who determines this? Each individual Christian decides for himself how much he is going to give, and the matter is between him and God alone. Now, our giving should be taken seriously because we will all be judged on whether or not we have given as we should. We must have the attitude that Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, that is, we should give cheerfully and not grudgingly. However, in the end, God has left the specific amount up to us. Under the old law the Jews were commanded to tithe, but we are not under that law today (1 Corinthians 9:21). There are those who still try to bind the old law of tithing upon us, failing to realize that the old law has been taken out of the way (Ephesians 2:14-15; Colossians 2:13-14; Hebrews 8:13).
Let’s all make sure we give as we should, both congregationally, upon the first day of the week, and individually, as we have prospered. In doing so, we prove our love for the overall cause of Christ (2 Corinthians 8:8).
As you wind down for the night, think about these things.