“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” 1. A divinely appointed plan respecting the contribution of means must have been established for all of the churches as Paul had given orders to the churches in Galatia, as well as to the church at Corinth. 2. It was a plan which required a constant giving of means in proportion to what was received. Each week they were to consider how they had been prospered, and to lay aside a definite sum. 3. Each person was required to take part in this. “Let every one of you lay by him in store.” 4. They were not all to give the same sum; but all were to give by the same rule, in the same proportion, as God had prospered them. The least amount received for their support, whether in payment of labor or otherwise, if not more than one dollar, was their prosperity. If ten or twenty dollars had been received, their prosperity was this much greater, and they should give ten or twenty times as much, as though they had received but one dollar. 5. This money, thus laid aside, was not left for them to dispose of individually, as they saw fit. The object is plainly stated, “that there be no gatherings [or collections] when I come.” It was evidently to go into some general treasury for some special purpose. This was all understood by the apostle and the brethren; for he was to take the money, when he came, for the saints at Jerusalem. Some have supposed that this collection was exclusively for the poor saints at Jerusalem; but it is not so stated. It is quite probable that at Jerusalem there was a general treasury, the same as there was at the commencement of the preaching of the gospel. God has taught by the mouth of his prophets and by the example of his servants in time past that he claims a tithe of a man's increase,—that it belongs to him. This is the least that God has proposed to accept from any one.