The financial burden of God's work has always been shared amongst God's people. In the OT, this was mainly by compulsory tithes; in the NT by voluntary contributions.
The collection of compulsory tithes and other religious taxes
Tithes
Leviticus 27:30 See also Numbers 18:21
Thus any tithe from the land, whether from the seed of the land or the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.
Redemption money
Temple taxes
2 Chronicles 24:5; Matthew 17:24
The collection of voluntary contributions
For the tabernacle
Exodus 36:3 See also Numbers 7:2–3, Numbers 7:84–88
They received from Moses all the contributions that the Israelites had brought to carry out the service of constructing the sanctuary. Meanwhile, the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning,
For the temple
For the rebuilding of the temple
For the teaching ministry of the church
Galatians 6:6 See also Luke 8:1–3; Philippians 4:15–16; 1 Timothy 5:17–18
Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor.
For the relief of the poor
Romans 15:26; 1 Corinthians 16:1 See also Acts 2:45, Acts 4:34–35, Acts 11:29–30
For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.
Now about the collection for the saints, you are to do as I directed the churches of Galatia:
The aim of collections
To share burdens equally
To supply people's needs
To arouse thanksgiving
The right attitude to collections
Generosity
Exodus 36:4–6; 2 Corinthians 8:11, 2 Corinthians 9:6
Cheerfulness
Discipline
Humility
A willing spirit
A sacrificial spirit
Mark 12:41–44 parallel Luke 21:1–4; 2 Corinthians 8:1–4
The faithful administration of collections
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.