“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 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” (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

The goal of Paul’s “orders” to the churches was to have funds prepared to apply to the “collection for the saints” – a gift that was being gathered from among Gentile churches to relieve needy Jewish Christians in Jerusalem (Rom. 15:25-27; 2 Cor. 8:4; 9:1, 12). This order of readiness necessarily implies treasuries existed in each local church.

Freewill offering continues to be how each local church of Christ funds its work of benevolence, evangelism, and edification. Verse 2 gives concise answers to essential questions about our giving. 1) When? On the first day of the week. 2) Who? Each one of you. 3) What? Lay something aside. 4) How? As he may prosper. 5) Why? That there be no collections when I come. Their gift would be collected and ready to send to Jerusalem when Paul arrived (1 Cor. 16:3-4).

A treasury into which each one lays something aside accomplished this then, and now (see the church’s treasury in Acts 4:34-5:4). With singleness of heart, Christian give bountifully, cheerfully, and thankfully to fund the work God gives local churches (2 Cor. 8:1-5, 12; 9:6-11).