What is its purpose? For what should we use it? During His personal ministry He took notice of the amount contributed by the different classes, rich and poor.

"And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury; and many that were rich cast in much."— Mk. 12:41.

Jesus and His disciples had a common fund among them and it was used to relieve the poor and perhaps to supply the needs of the Master while He preached. Judas, who "had the bag" (of money), asked, "Why was not this ointment (perfume) sold for 300 pence (about $50.00) and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein" (John 12:5, 6). He, being a "thief," possibly wanted to steal from "the bag."

An outstanding characteristic of the Christian religion was, and is, the relief of the fatherless and widows, and other poor. So James teaches: "Pure religion and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and keep himself unspotted (uncontaminated) from the world" (Jas 1 :27). See also 1 Tim. 5:9, 10.

"Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality" (Rom. 12:13). "And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration." It appears that the Jews were partial toward their own people in this matter, but this scripture shows how the fund was used. Again: "Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea: which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul (Acts 11:29, 30). Paul made it a point to remember the poor. "Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I was always forward to do" (Gal. 2:10).

"Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come" (1 Cor. 16:1, 2).

"For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints (Greek, "among the saints"—J.D.P.) which are at Jerusalem." Cp. 1 Cor. 9th chap.

Paul abased himself to keep from being a burden to the church that was too covetous to support him. "Have I committed an offense in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached unto you the gospel of God freely? (i. e., without payment). I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, that I might do you service. And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied; and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself" (2 Gor. 11 :7-9).

"The laborer is worthy of his hire" (1 Tim. 5:18). The Temple being a type of the church and the teachers and priests receiving their support from the things of the Temple, it is easy to see that God’s servants, under "the law of the Spirit of life," should receive their support from the church, supplied by the contribution.

"Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the Temple? And they which wait at the altar are partakers of the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel?" (2 Cor. 9:13, 14).

"Or, I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? Who goeth a waring at any time at his own charges? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? Or, who feedeth a flock and eateth not of the milk there of?" (2 Cor. 9:6, 7).

"If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?" (2 Cor. 2:11). The Macedonian church, though extremely poor, was Paul’s best support (2 Cor. 8:1-4). "Moreover, brethren, I bear you record of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; how that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality."

The Phillipian church was the first to Paul’s aid. "Now ye Phillipians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia no church communicated unto me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only" (Phil. 4:15).

We should give, "not grudgingly, nor of necessity"; as we "purpose in our heart," "cheerfully," "bountifully," "willingly." See 2 Cor. 9:7; 8:12.

Remember, brethren, that "God loveth a cheerful giver"!