A Study Of Generic Authority - (No: 3)
Sometimes brethren seem to have difficulty in understanding the authority involved in having a common treasury from which the work of the church is supported. Again, by general authority we see authorization for the treasury and its use. We might state the premise in this way: A common treasury is authorized to finance t h e responsibility of the body (church).
Under the law we see this same principle. There was a common treasury used to build the tabernacle. This was a collective responsibility and was fulfilled by use of a common treasury. There was a common treasury to fulfill a common responsibility in sustaining temple worship. (Mark 12:41) The Levites were supported from a common treasury made possible by the tithes. 1 Cor. 9:13) During the personal ministry of Jesus, His company had a common treasury (Mark 14; John 13:29) God had seen fit through the ages to have a common treasury to fulfill a collective responsibility.
It is not surprising then to find that the church is authorized to have a common treasury to fulfill the collective responsibility of the body. From the church's beginning we see that this is true. In the early chapters of Acts we see the disciples putting money into the treasury (laying it at the apostle's feet). (Acts 4:35) In Acts 6 we see the use of this treasury in providing for needy saints. Note the following: 1) Money was put into the treasury (above). 2) Food (daily ministration) was provided for the needy saints. (vv. 1,2) 3) Thus, the church purchased the necessities for the needy saints. This shows the scripturality of spending money from the common treasury in fulfilling the work of the church. Therefore, the church is authorized to buy provisions to fulfill its responsibility.
Support Of Preachers
There is also authorization for the support of preachers from the common treasury either by giving the money or carnal things. (1 Cor. 9:11, 13, 14) Thus the church may give financial support (wages, 2 Cor. 11:8) to a preacher. The expression, carnal things, indicates that the church could also provide a house, car, food, or other physical necessities for a preacher.
How Does The Church Get Money?
Now the question arises, does the Bible indicate how or when money was put into the treasury? Keep in mind that the money in the treasury was used both in the care of needy saints and in the support of gospel preaching. How did money get into the treasury? By the members' giving according to their ability. There is no authorization for the church's entering business or other activities to get money. When was this giving to be done? The answer is very clear. "Upon the first day of the week, let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come." (1 Cor. 16:2) Here is Bible authority for our putting money into the common treasury on the first day of the week.
Someone objects by saying, "But this giving was only for needy saints." True, he was dealing with this subject specifically. But look again: the money was to be put into the common treasury — "lay by in store." This could not be "put it up at home" for that would necessitate a "gathering" when Paul came. Therefore, we are authorized to put money into the treasury each Sunday for the work of the church. From this treasury poor saints may be provided for and gospel preachers may be supported. I challenge anyone to show any other way of scripturally putting money into the treasury than by the manner given by Paul here!
Other Uses Of The Treasury There are some other authorized uses of this common treasury. The collective responsibility of the body — the church's responsibility — may be supported from the common treasury. Anything that is the responsibility of the church may be supported by the church. The collective body, the church, has a collective (as well as individual) responsibility in preaching to every creature. The local church is the pillar (stulos: "of a local church as to its responsibility in a collective capacity, to maintain the doctrines of the faith by teaching and practice, 1 Tim. 3:15" Vine) of the truth. The church at Philippi had fellowship in the gospel. (Phil. 1:5) Why? Because of the underlying command to "preach to the whole creation." The church, then, may spend money for provisions in teaching the gospel and in edifying its members. There must be a place for teaching. This shows the authority for a building in which to teach. There are other expedients of teaching also authorized and, therefore, may be provided by the church — such things as blackboards, charts, literature, etc. The church is authorized by general authority to use its money in these things.
In a previous article we showed the collective responsibility in maintaining worship. This also authorizes the church to provide a place of worship. It authorizes the church to provide the necessities of worship such as song books and communion elements. Surely we ought to be able to see this.
Let us never be guilty of doing that which is unauthorized. Neither let us allow extremism to hinder our doing that which is given by general authority. One is as sinful as the other.
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