In the New Testament, why was contribution collected?
Many people are asking this question! As I understand the New Testament, there are two principal purposes for the collection. The first is to support the preachers. Luke 10, 1 Timothy 5, and 3 John are just three chapters in support of this use of the collection. The second is to assist the needy members of the church.
Yes, on at least one occasion, a large-scale contribution was organized (by Paul) among the Gentile churches to alleviate suffering and poverty among the Jewish churches. A stunning outpouring of love and display of unity! This is an example of a contribution beyond the local church.
How and when we collect funds for these purposes is left rather vague. It is clear that people in the first century helped the poor directly, yet this does not mean giving indirectly is wrong. (I.e., people brought the proceeds of their sales and laid them at the apostles' feet for distribution.)
As for a Sunday collection, 1 Corinthians 16:1 gives scant support for this practice. (Not that I'm opposed to it.) This passage speaks of setting aside weekly, though not to support church workers, but to help the needy. Also, the passage does not necessarily speak of a weekly collection. It reads, "So that no collections will need to be made." It may imply a regular offering, but this is far from certain. Hmmm...
As an expedient, I would suggest that churches continue to collect money on a weekly basis. Every situation will be different.
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