Bulletin Articles
LAY BY AT HOME OR LAY BY IN CHURCH?
LAY BY AT HOME OR LAY BY IN CHURCH?
“1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 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. 3 And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem” (1Cor.16:1-3). My brethren and I often quote this text as authorization for a weekly collection for the work of the local church. What you may not know is that some have argued that this text is teaching an individual collection at home, rather than a public collection in church. The alleged proof of this alternative view lies in the phrase, “lay by him,” in verse two (see KJV, ASV). It is alleged that “by him” essentially means “at home.” I do not share that view, and in this article, I shall state why.
First, notice the phrase, “the collection” (v.1). The word is singular; it is not “collections,” but “collection.” It is clearly a singular gathering of funds, not a plurality of collections scattered throughout the city.
Second, notice the phrase, “the churches” (v.1). This instruction was given to local churches in Galatia and Corinth. Each church was to follow the same instructions. This indicates that this collection was to be a congregational activity, with each church taking up its collection in the same manner.
Third, notice the time of congregating (v.2). The phrase, “the first day of the week,” is a reference to the weekly gathering of local churches to eat the Lord’s Supper (Ac.20:7; cf. 1Cor.10:16). This would be the perfect time to take up a collection, because most faithful saints would be present in this gathering. On the other hand, if this is a private collection in your home, WHY would it be limited to “the first day of the week?” That makes no sense!
Fourth, notice the contributors (v.2). Paul said, “each one” who was a member of the church at Corinth was to put something aside into this singular collection. Every member of the church has a share in the local work; and your financial contribution represents your financial share of the load taken on by the local church. Notice: one singular fund, made possible each member’s prosperity/ability.
Fifth, notice the contribution itself (v.2). It was to be “stored up” in one place to prevent having to collect it all later (“that there be NO collections when I come”). This would not be possible if everyone was saving money at home. Indeed, they would have to gather all of these personal collections at home into one singular collection when Paul came – which is the very thing he said he did not want! Why complicate the process with this extra step? Why tell everyone to collect money at home, and then later, collect it all in one lump sum? Why not just bring it all together in one fund to start with?
Sixth, notice the control of this fund (v.3). Each church was to pick a single person (i.e., “whomever you approve”) to bring their collective “gift” (again, notice the singular, “gift”) to Jerusalem. Once again, this is indicative of a singular “local church treasury.”
The facts above clearly mitigate against the view that Paul was giving instruction for private collections at home. They clearly outweigh any potential argument based on the phrase, “by him” (KJV). In truth, the word, “him,” can be translated “him” or “it.” Many translations favor the “it” route (or some variation thereof) based on the context I just cited above. Notice the NKJV, which says, “put something aside,” instead of “lay by him.” The NKJV translation makes sense, and is in harmony with the context.
--Lanny Smith
