In the context of the Bible, "collections" often refer to the gathering of resources, particularly financial contributions, for specific purposes within the early Christian community. This practice is rooted in the principles of charity, communal support, and stewardship as taught in the Scriptures.

Old Testament Foundations

The concept of collections can be traced back to the Old Testament, where the Israelites were instructed to bring offerings and tithes to support the Levitical priesthood and the functioning of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. In Exodus 25:2, God commands Moses, "Tell the Israelites to bring Me an offering. You are to receive My offering from every man whose heart compels him." This voluntary giving was a means of worship and obedience to God.

New Testament Practice

In the New Testament, collections take on a more communal and charitable aspect, reflecting the early church's commitment to caring for one another. The Apostle Paul is particularly noted for organizing collections for the saints in Jerusalem who were experiencing poverty and hardship. In 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 , Paul instructs the church in Corinth: "Now about the collection for the saints, you are to do as I directed the churches of Galatia: On the first day of every week, each of you should set aside a portion of his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will be needed."

Paul's instructions highlight several key principles regarding collections:

1. Regularity: The collection was to be taken on the first day of the week, indicating a systematic approach to giving.
2. Proportionality: Each person was to give according to their income, suggesting that giving should be proportional to one's means.
3. Preparedness: The funds were to be set aside in advance, ensuring readiness and avoiding last-minute pressure.

Purpose and Impact

The primary purpose of these collections was to provide for the needs of the impoverished believers in Jerusalem, fostering unity and demonstrating the love and solidarity of the broader Christian community. In Romans 15:26 , Paul notes, "For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem."

Collections also served to strengthen the bonds between different congregations, as they shared in each other's burdens and joys. This practice was a tangible expression of the body of Christ working together, as described in 2 Corinthians 8:13-14 : "It is not intended that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality. At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. Then there will be equality."

Spiritual Significance

Beyond the practical aspects, collections in the early church carried deep spiritual significance. They were an act of worship, reflecting the giver's gratitude to God and trust in His provision. In 2 Corinthians 9:7 , Paul emphasizes the attitude of the giver: "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver."

Collections were also a means of participating in God's work, enabling the spread of the Gospel and the support of those dedicated to ministry. This practice continues to be a vital aspect of Christian life, embodying the principles of generosity, stewardship, and community that are foundational to the faith.3048. logeia -- a collection
... Word Origin from logeuo (to collect) Definition a collection NASB Word Usage
collection (1), collections (1). collection, gathering. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3048.htm - 6k627. asuppah -- a collection
... 626, 627. asuppah. 628 . a collection. Transliteration: asuppah Phonetic
Spelling: (as-up-paw') Short Definition: collections. Word ...
/hebrew/627.htm - 6k

On the Collections, V.
... Sermons. Sermon X. On the Collections, V. On the Collections, V. I. Our goods are
given us not as our own possessions but for use in God's service. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon x on the collections.htm

Upon the Collections , iv.
... Sermon IX. Upon the Collections , IV. Upon the Collections [669] , IV. ... These collections
seem to have been continued for several consecutive days (cf. Serm. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon ix upon the collections.htm

The History of the Psalter
... [Sidenote: Evidence of distinct collections of psalms]. In its present form,
the Psalter is divided into five books or collections. ...
/.../the origin and permanent value of the old testament/xii the history of the.htm

Appendix vi
... of the "Canon of the New Testament," confines himself, and must confine himself,
exclusively to proving the existence of certain smaller collections of books ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/harnack/the origin of the new testament/appendix vi.htm

Excursus on the Number of the Nicene Canons.
... A tradition that something of the kind had taken place was prevalent in parts
of the East, and some collections did contain seventy canons. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/excursus on the number of.htm

Reformation Hymnody
... Independent collections were almost simultaneously published by Hans Tausen,
Arvid Petersen and others. And, as these different ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter two reformation hymnody.htm

A Memorial
... THE FOURTH SECTION OF THE THIRD TREATISE. OF CONTEMPLATION. A MEMORIAL. Written
by the late VRF Leander ?? S. Martino, and placed in the Book of Collections ...
/.../baker/holy wisdom or directions for the prayer of contemplation/a memorial.htm

The Second Silesian School
... Their use was still prohibited in church at the ordinary services, but they were
commonly employed at certain festivals, and collections of them were placed in ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/the second silesian school.htm

Recognitions of Clement.
... are aware that there are two editions in Greek of this work of Clement,"the 'Anagnoseis
, that is, Recognitions; and that there are two collections of books ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /recognitions of clement.htm

Introductory Notice to Constitutions of the Holy Apostles.
... Some are evidently much more ancient than others, and there is every evidence
that various collections or recensions existed. That ...
/.../constitutions of the holy apostles/introductory notice to constitutions of.htm

Collections (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Collections (3 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 16:2
On the first day of the week, let each one of you save, as ...
/c/collections.htm - 7k

Masters (59 Occurrences)
... Tyler translates "editors of collections." Klienert renders "protectors of the
treasure-chambers," 'acuppoth being considered equivalent to the 'acuppim of 1 ...
/m/masters.htm - 26k

Assemblies (48 Occurrences)
... Tyler translates "editors of collections." Klienert renders "protectors of the
treasure-chambers," 'acuppoth being considered equivalent to the 'acuppim of 1 ...
/a/assemblies.htm - 22k

Collection (7 Occurrences)
... Paul awakened an interest in them among the Gentile churches, and made pecuniary
collections in their behalf (Acts 24:17; Romans 15:25, 26; 1 Corinthians 16:1-3 ...
/c/collection.htm - 11k

Talmud
... Rabbi (as R. Jehudah ha-Nasi', the "prince" or the "saint," is usually called),
as far as we know, did not put into written form their collections; indeed it ...
/t/talmud.htm - 37k

Libraries
... 3. Libraries for the Dead: Another class of collections of real books, written or
gathered for mythological purposes, is what may be called libraries for the ...
/l/libraries.htm - 38k

Papyrus (4 Occurrences)
... Contribution to New Testament Study 12. Chief Collections 13. ... Many papyrus collections
have no literary papyri at all, but are rich in documents. ...
/p/papyrus.htm - 34k

Proverbs (11 Occurrences)
... kethubhim Septuagint Paroimiai), "writings"; placed there probably because it would
be most natural to begin this section with standard collections nearest at ...
/p/proverbs.htm - 43k

Messenger (235 Occurrences)
... For lists of the chief collections of the papyri see Moulton, Prolegomena, 259-62;
Milligan, Selections from the Greek Papyri, xi, xii; Mayser, Grammatik der ...
/m/messenger.htm - 101k

Canon
... Just when and to what extent "collections" of our New Testament books began to be
made it is impossible to say, but it is fair to infer that a collection of ...
/c/canon.htm - 68k

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