Giving to the Church - 1 Corinthians 15-16

 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 (ESV)

The Collection for the Saints

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.

The early church had similar challenges to the church today:  The need for financial support.   The Apostles did not hesitate to lead the church in taking care of the members of the Body of Christ.   For most Christians working in the Greek/Roman culture that meant being hired by a “trade guild.”   These guilds often had religious overtones. So, when you confessed Christ you were quickly ostracized from the guild, hence your source of income, leading to impoverish conditions.   This meant the faith you gave your allegiance to was in contrast to the faith of the guild.   So, the Church had a responsibility to care for those in their Body.   This is why Paul is writing the above passage.   Latter he will write to this same congregations again in his second letter to them:

2 Corinthians 8:1-4 (ESV)

Encouragement to Give Generously

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—

It seems that this first letter stirred them up to give, but they were lagging behind a bit by the time Paul wrote the second letter:

2 Corinthians 8:10-11 (ESV)

And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.

The early church was quick to recognize this need in the body:

Acts 2:44-45 (ESV)

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

Caring for the Body of Christ is both a response out of love for the brother and sister in Christ but also out of compulsion of obedience to Christ.   It is noted that in all the passages teaching this truth that believers are asked to give “... as he may prosper ...”.     There is not a demand here.  There is not a fixed amount or a percentage.  This type of giving for the members of the Church is based upon what God has given you.   The heart of a person is tested deeper when the gift is to be from the heart vs a percentage of the head.   Perhaps our Lord gave us the best example of what it means to really give when He observed a power woman give amongst the rich:

Mark 12:44 (ESV)

For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”