Giving of our Means

When one thinks about the Bible doctrine of giving, money is usually the first thing that comes to mind. In 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, the apostle Paul succinctly stated that giving of our means is supposed to be part of the worship that Christians offer to God. “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” The “collection for the saints” to which Paul referred was money that he was raising to take with him to Jerusalem, so he could present it to the elders of the church there for the relief of Christians who were suffering financially (Acts 11:29-30). He wanted the members of the church in Corinth to set aside money for this effort by giving of their means on the first day of every week, so there would be no need for a special collection, when he arrived.

This passage authorizes the church to take up a collection on the first day of every week. This is meant to be part of the worship that the church offers to God, because the first day of the week was “when the disciples came together” (Acts 20:7). It also authorizes the church to put up money “in store.” Churches may have savings accounts and checking accounts. Churches may budget money for specific purposes. The church is not authorized to hoard money, but it is authorized to have a plan, or a purpose for the money that is collected, on the Lord’s Day (Luke 16:9).

“Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store…” – 1 Corinthians 16:2

As to the amount of money that Christians are supposed to give on the first day of every week, there is no limit. The New Testament does not teach that Christians are supposed to give a tithe, or a “tenth” of what they possess or earn, but that they are to give “as God hath prospered” them. That means that it is up to the individual Christian to determine the amount of money he will contribute on the Lord’s Day. Of course, every Christian should bear in mind that the giving he does is part of the worship he offers to God, and that God would not be pleased with a half-hearted gift (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Also, it should be noted that we all owe the Lord a debt that is far greater than our ability to pay. We cannot put a price on what Jesus did to purchase our redemption, so the truth is that owe God everything we have. Let us all consider these things when we give of our means.