Money & giving
There is no collection, no tithe, no central fund, and nobody centrally managing money on anyone’s behalf. Here is what we do instead.
How the New Testament describes giving
We follow the New Testament practice of giving. Each person is to:
- Remember the poor
- Galatians 2:10
- Look after the Body of Christ
- James 2:15–16
- Be generous
- 1 Timothy 6:17–19
- Give voluntarily, without obligation or pressure
- 2 Corinthians 9:7
There is no tithe
There is no “tithing” requirement or practice in the New Testament.
While the church in the New Testament did pool funds at times, it was never required (Acts 5:4).
So what happens here?
We don’t have a central place in our community to give money to. There is no non-profit organisation, and no one manages any money centrally.
Everyone purposes within themselves how they give and who they give to. People can organise around causes or situations and pool resources for the purposes above, if they choose to (Romans 15:25–26). No collection is taken at gatherings, and there is no account to give to.
What generosity looks like here is people noticing a need (like the ones listed above) and quietly meeting it. If those needs ever grow beyond what households can carry between them, that is when we would recognise deacons to help carry it forward.
In the New Testament there is a clear case for some people who teach and sow to be supported. We choose not to do this.1 Cor 9; Acts 20:33–34; 2 Cor 12:14; 1 Thess 2:9