Collection

The collection in the New Testament refers specifically to Paul's systematic effort to gather a monetary gift from his Gentile churches for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. Paul devoted considerable attention to this project in his correspondence with the Corinthian and Roman churches (Romans 15:25–26; 1 Corinthians 16:1–4; 2 Corinthians 8–9), and he personally delivered the gift to Jerusalem (Acts 24:17). The collection had both practical and theological dimensions: it relieved the material need of the Jerusalem church and demonstrated the unity of Jewish and Gentile believers in the one body of Christ.

Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians 16:1–2 — that each believer set aside a portion of their income on the first day of every week — established a principle of systematic, proportional, and cheerful giving that has shaped Christian stewardship teaching. He cites the Macedonian churches' liberality as a model (2 Corinthians 8:2) and grounds the obligation in Christ's self-giving: though he was rich, he became poor for believers' sake. The collection thus functioned as both practical charity and a living symbol of the gospel's power to unite divided communities.