By Christian
In the first two episodes, we began to examine the text of the New Testament in relation to the structure of the congregations. Always with the desire of some in mind: “We are doing exactly what the first-century Christians did”. In doing so, we noticed both similarities and differences between the different congregations in the first part of this series.
As announced, we want to deal with another delicate topic this time: money and donations. Because that is often a delicate topic today, too, and one that people don’t like to talk about. At least people are often less willing to talk about it than to accept donations.
So let’s first take a look at what the New Testament tells us about the ‚congregation in the 1st century‘.
The text of the New Testament
Money and Donations
The beginnings of the congregation in Jerusalem
In the last episode, we learned about the first congregation in Jerusalem from the book of Acts:
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
Acts 4:32-35 NIV
At the beginning of the congregation in Jerusalem, according to the account in the Acts of the Apostles, they shared everything and no one regarded anything as their own private property.
Did it stay that way and did the other congregations adopt it?
Other congregations
What else do we know about support from others?
All they asked was that we [Paul and Barnabas] should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.
Galatians 2:10 NIV
Which ‚poor‘ were they talking about here? And how did it happen? Paul is talking here about a meeting with James, Peter, John and others in Jerusalem. In the Acts of the Apostles we read:
During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 11:27-30 Schlachter 2000
So the support was organized because of a special situation. Which was not only important because of the famine. As we had already read, the people in Jerusalem had sold their possessions and distributed them at Pentecost because of the special situation. And then they were soon persecuted and scattered. This situation was also the reason for another action:
For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem.
Romans 15:26 NIV
Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.
1 Corinthians 16:1-4 NIV
For the Corinthians, there were even more instructions regarding these donations in 2 Corinthians 8 and
By the way, did you notice that the donations were always intended for the congregation in Jerusalem or in Judea? So it was about a specific situation that became necessary due to the specific historical development of the congregation in Jerusalem.
They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews‘ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.
Romans 15:27 NIV
Do you know of a report in the New Testament in which a collection of donations was carried out for a congregation other than the one in Jerusalem and Judea? That is, a fundraiser for the congregation in Rome or Antioch or somewhere else?
I am not talking about direct help for someone in need (James 1:27). That was entirely in line with what Jesus said about gifts for the poor (Mat 6:2-4). But even for that, there was no organized donation facility in the congregation. That was a very personal matter, as Jesus said.
In the New Testament, we only find collections for the congregations in Jerusalem and Judea due to special circumstances.
There is also a special group in connection with donations.
Donations for apostles and overseers?
Acts 20:35 is often used in connection with financial donations, but Paul also addresses another point before that, which is not so often quoted:
“I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing [‚desired‘ Schlachter, Züricher]. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” [It is apparently an oral saying of the Lord that is not contained in the Gospels, but compare Luke 6:38; 11:9; John 13:34. NEÜ]
Acts 20:33-35 NIV, comment from Schlachter and NEÜ versions
Paul did not demand anything, not even from this congregation, which he co-founded. On the contrary, he worked himself in order to give to others in need. Paul is often quoted or taken as an example when it comes to ordering or regulating something. However, this part is rarely or never heard from such people. He also criticized this point in another famous congregation that he had founded. And in a rather ironic way:
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me.
If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast.
What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel.
1 Corinthians 9:1-3, 11-15, 18 Züricher
Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge? I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so.
2 Corinthians 11:7-9 NIV
In many translations, the irony in Paul’s words is not really conveyed: “[Oh well, then… I guess] I must have robbed other congregations by accepting their provisions in order to serve you!” (2001 Translation)
But where did Paul get this? “In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9:14 NIV) So for one thing, Paul never heard Jesus personally. So it must have been handed down. But you won’t find it that way in the New Testament, only this:
Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
Heal the sick,
Luke 10:7; Matthew 10:8-10. Zurich [Strikethrough in the text indicates questionable text.raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, a drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.
But that sounds quite different from “Those who preach the gospel should live by the gospel”.
If we compare what Paul said with what we read in Acts 2:41-47, that the congregation had everything in common, and in 4:32-35, that they provided the money for the congregation, we see that things were done differently later on in Ephesus and Corinth. What Paul wrote to the Galatians is more appropriate:
Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.
Galatians 6:6 NIV
And the congregation in Philippi supported him – when he was in need:
Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
Philippians 4:14-18 NIV
Paul was well aware of the problem that can arise from supporting overseers and elders. The New Testament points out the danger:
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;
1 Peter 5:2 NIV
So even then it was clear that you could make it in religious communities. And over the centuries you can see time and again how easy it is to get money out of people for the salvation of their souls. Or for the ’support of such valuable, hard-working (circuit) overseers‘.
Paul does say that, like others, he could in principle expect to be supported for his work. But he accepted it only in need.
He emphasizes that he has worked himself: for his needs and even for others in need.
In the next part, we will take a look at the baptism and the peaceful community.