Before beginning a study, we must first have a clear understanding as to what is under discussion. What sort of giving are we talking about? The giving under consideration here has to do with the monetary contributions that are made to the church. We read of this when the church in Jerusalem was engaged in the act of giving – Christians were selling property and bringing the proceeds to the apostles. These funds were then distributed to needy saints (Acts 4:32-35).

Paul also spoke of giving to the Corinthians when he wrote “concerning the collection” (1 Corinthians 16:1) and gave them certain instructions regarding this practice. These instructions that were given to the Christians in Corinth were not peculiar to that congregation. The churches in the first century had a uniform teaching. Paul spoke of this when he told them of Timothy – another gospel preacher – who would come with the same message he had brought them. That message that Paul brought was the same message he preached “everywhere in every church” (1 Corinthians 4:17). So the instructions concerning the collection found in the New Testament apply to us today, regardless of where we are or the congregation of which we are members.
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