Contribution
Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology [1]
Contributions come in various forms in the Bible. They were designed in the Old Testament to support the poor and, in the New Testament, the needy saints of the church. Some were organized collections, while others were the offering of alms as expressions of Acts of mercy or "acts of righteousness." The poor often collected such benefits directly from those who gave.
The Old Testament . Deuteronomy 15:7-11 states the basic principle behind contributions. God's people are not to be tight-fisted but must offer aid to others with open hands. One should lend to a needy brother for a pledge and should not refuse such a loan simply because the year of remission, a sabbatical year, is near. The illustration of such giving is found in Esther 9:22 , where it is associated with the feast of Purim.
The Torah also exhorted the people of God to leave some of their harvest to be collected by the poor and the foreigner ( Leviticus 19:9-10; 23:22 ). In fact, the Mishnah, the written collection of Jewish oral tradition codified in the late second century a.d., devotes an entire tractate to how this contribution is handled. The "performing of righteousness" has no fixed measure (1:1). In fact, after the poor have their turn, anyone can take grain from what remains of the harvest (8:1). The amount of harvest contributed to this cause should be no less than one-sixtieth of the whole. In determining what was to be left, consideration was to be given to the size of the field, the number of the poor, and the extent of the yield (1:2). When Jesus' disciples plucked grain on the Sabbath, it was probably from such harvest leftovers ( Luke 6:1-5 ). A clear Old Testament example of such a collection for widows and the poor is the story of Naomi and Ruth ( Ruth 2:2-8 ).
Psalm 37:21,26 calls upon the righteous person to give with generosity. This idea is stated negatively in Isaiah 10:1-2 . Yet another prophet issues a call for true justice and compassion ( Zechariah 7:9-10 ). The issuing of alms for the needy is a part of this call.
In Judaism . The Old Testament clearly made a great impact on Judaism, since many texts address this theme. It is clear that such contributions to the poor were a reflection of piety and occupied a major place in Jewish thinking. Such care is said to extend to older parents ( Sirach 3:14 ). It is seen to preserve one's reward before God, as one is urged to give without a grudging eye ( Tobit 4:9-10; 14:11; 28:12; 40:17 ). Such giving atones for sin (3:30 "like; water on a blazing fire" 12:8-9). Like prayer, one should not be weary of it ( Sirach 7:10 ). Yet such giving, at least according to some Jews, should not go to sinners (12:3), but to the penniless (29:8). Such giving is seen as a commendable means of aid, better than having family (40:24). A picture of such an honorable figure is the Jewish portrait of Tobit (1:16-17). When one realizes that such giving came on top of money set aside for tithes to maintain the temple and priesthood, it is clear that such contributions represented a reaching out to those in need with unconditional mercy.
The New Testament . As one turns to the New Testament, the discussion of alms continues. Jesus exhorted that such giving should occur in secret ( Matthew 6:2-4 ) and is a reflection of discipleship ( Matthew 12:33 ). The examples of a candidate for alms is the lame man of Acts 3 , while exemplary almsgivers include Cornelius ( Acts 10:2,4,31 ) and Paul (24:17). The motive here seems similar to Judaism, although one was to take care not to draw attention to oneself in the midst of such giving.
Paul states the principle for giving in Romans 12:8 : those who give are called to do so liberally. Three other Pauline texts fill in the details. First Corinthians 16:1-3 speaks of a collection Paul was taking to aid the needy in the Jewish Christian church in Palestine. He advises that the amount to be given should be set aside and stored, that giving should be according to how one has prospered, and that the collection should come with a letter of commendation. The letter shows that one guards the integrity of the contribution with care and accountability.
Second Corinthians 8-9 discusses another collection Paul made for the same purpose. He exhorts that it should be according to means (8:3). Such giving allows one to share in a work of grace (vv. 1-2). However, it should be done voluntarily, even cheerfully (9:7). Still, such a contribution is a test of service (v. 13).
First Timothy 6:6-10,17-19 places the rich under a special responsibility to be generous. God's kindness to them should be expressed in being kind to others, storing up treasure in heaven, not earth.
Summary . The contribution of funds or other means of sustenance for those in need reflects caring, mercy, and piety. Since God is generous to us, we should be kind to others. That is why alms and other such contributions are called Acts of mercy.
Darrell L. Bock
See also Collection; Tithing Tithe
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words [2]
is twice rendered "contribution," Romans 15:26; 2—Corinthians 9:13 , RV, (AV, "distribution"). See Communion.
King James Dictionary [3]
Contribution n.
1. The act of giving to a common stock, or in common with others the act of lending a portion of power or influence to a common purpose the payment of each mans share of some common expense. 2. That which is given to a common stock or purpose, either by an individual or by many. We speak of the contribution of one person, or the contribution of a society. Contributions are involuntary, as taxes and imposts or voluntary, as for some undertaking. 3. In a military sense, impositions paid by a frontier country, to secure themselves from being plundered by the enemys army or impositions upon a country in the power of an enemy, which are levied under various pretenses, and for various purposes, usually for the support of the army.
Webster's Dictionary [4]
(1): (n.) The act of contributing.
(2): (n.) That which is contributed; - either the portion which an individual furnishes to the common stock, or the whole which is formed by the gifts of individuals.
(3): (n.) An irregular and arbitrary imposition or tax leved on the people of a town or country.
(4): (n.) Payment, by each of several jointly liable, of a share in a loss suffered or an amount paid by one of their number for the common benefit.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [5]
kon - tri - bū´shun ( κοινωνία , koinōnı́a , "communion" or "fellowship," Romans 15:26; 2 Corinthians 9:13 ): The meaning "contribution" is drawn from the context, rather than from the Greek word. The phrase in the passage cited, literally rendered, would be "to exercise" or "put fellowship into activity." The koinōnia subsisting among believers because of their inner communion with Christ places them and their gifts and possessions at the service of one another (see Communion ). They are enjoined. not to forget to communicate ( Hebrews 13:16 ). To be "communicative" ( koinōnikoı́ ) is to be a habit of their lives, the Christian principle being that of the holding of all property as a trust, to be distributed as there is need ( Acts 2:44 f; 2 Corinthians 8:14 f). The first occasion for calling this fellowship into activity, by way of "contributions," was within the church at Jerusalem and for its needy members (see Community Of Goods ). The second occasion was repeatedly from the infant Gentile churches for the poor within the same church ( Acts 11:29; Romans 15:26; 2 Corinthians 8:1-4; 2 Corinthians 9:2 ); the fellowship Thus widening from intra-congregational to general church benevolence. These contributions were gathered weekly ( 1 Corinthians 16:2 f), were proportioned to the means of the givers ( Acts 11:29; 1 Corinthians 16:2 ), were not exacted or prescribed, in a legalistic manner, but were called forth as the free-will offerings of grateful hearts ( 2 Corinthians 8:7 ), springing from th community spirit, and were sent to their destination by accredited representatives of the congregations ( 1 Corinthians 16:3; Acts 11:30 ).
