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What scriptures would guide new covenmant believers in the matter of giving? Should saints who meet together for mutual ministry in each others' homes be expected to contribute to regular church collections?
If so, who does scripture assign to handle and disburse such monies?
To whom should such funds be given? How should they be spent?
It's interesting to realize that modern banking methods didn't exist in NT times. There were no Western Union Offices or instant transfers of any kind. Thus, reliable men who would be traveling to a particular destination would be chosen to transport the gifts. The gifts were for the needy - not for the administrative salaries.
I am at a loss to say that there were "regular collections" or how such would have been gathered or stored. It does appear that the early church was active in relief projects. Some efforts would appear to be on-going, as the support of certain widows and certain elders. See 1 Tim 5.
I do believe there is too much bureaucracy in the churches today. It removes the joy of individuals giving directly to another person in the name of Christ.
Wonder what the pew-sitters in the Catholic church are thinking as they now see hundreds of millions of dollars of their donations going to settle lawsuits. Do they not wish that they could have given it directly to those who were really in need?
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