"Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: on the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come." (1 Cor. 16:1-2)

1 Cor. 16:1-2 gives authority for the church to have a treasury. The word, "in store" "storing up" is from the root word "treasury" in the original Greek. Some have raised the question, "Doesn't 1 Cor. 16:1-2 give authority ONLY regarding collections for poor saints?" We answer: It gives authority for collections for poor saints; however, Psalm 119:160 shows that the entirety ("sum" ASV) of God's Word is truth. In as much as 1 Cor. 16:1-2 are the only verses in the N.T. which describe how the church is to obtain its funds, they constitute God's will regarding how church funds are to be raised.

A certain Christian was heard complaining, "The church costs too much. They are always asking for money." Another lady answered, "Some time ago, a little boy was born in our home. He cost us a lot of money from the very beginning; he had a big appetite, he needed clothes, medicine, and toys. Then he went to school, and that cost a lot more. Later he went away to college, and that cost us a small fortune. But in his senior year at college he died, and since the funeral, he hasn't cost us a penny. Now which situation do you think we would rather have?"