Bible Questions and Answers

1 Corinthians 16:1-4, is this different from the regular collection or giving?

1 Corinthians 16:1-4 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2  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. 3  And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. 4  But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.

Paul is almost certainly referring to a collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem. He refers to it in the letter to the Romans:

Romans 15:25 But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.

And again, in his second letter to Corinth:

2 Corinthians 9:1-7 Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you; 2 for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority. 3 Yet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this respect, that, as I said, you may be ready; 4 lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this confident boasting. 5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation. 6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

But the principle holds good for regular collections for the general expenses of any congregation. Christians are not under the ‘tithing’ requirement of the Law of Moses.

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn