Definition and Context:
In the biblical context, "contribution" refers to the act of giving or offering something, often in the form of money, resources, or service, for the support of the church, the needy, or the work of God. Contributions are seen as an expression of faith, gratitude, and obedience to God's commandments.

Old Testament References:
The concept of contribution is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where the Israelites were commanded to bring offerings to the Lord. In Exodus 25:2 , God instructs Moses, "Tell the Israelites to bring Me an offering. You are to receive My offering from every man whose heart compels him." This voluntary offering was for the construction of the Tabernacle, illustrating that contributions were meant to support the worship and work of God.

The practice of tithing, giving a tenth of one's produce or income, is another form of contribution. Leviticus 27:30 states, "Thus any tithe of the land, whether from the seed of the land or the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD." Tithes were used to support the Levites, the priestly class, and to assist the poor and needy.

New Testament Teachings:
In the New Testament, the principle of contribution is expanded to include the support of the early Christian community and the spread of the Gospel. The Apostle Paul frequently addressed the importance of giving. In 2 Corinthians 9:7 , he writes, "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver." This emphasizes the voluntary and joyful nature of contributions.

The early church practiced communal living and shared resources to ensure that no one was in need. Acts 4:34-35 describes this practice: "There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need."

Spiritual Significance:
Contributions are seen as a tangible expression of one's faith and trust in God. They are a way to participate in God's work and to demonstrate love and care for others. Jesus highlighted the importance of the heart behind the giving, as seen in Mark 12:41-44 , where He commends the poor widow who gave two small coins, saying, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others."

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to contribute to their local church and to charitable causes as an act of worship and service. Contributions can take many forms, including financial donations, volunteering time, and using one's talents for the benefit of others. The principle of stewardship, recognizing that all resources belong to God and should be used for His glory, underpins the practice of contribution.

Conclusion:
While the Bible provides guidelines and examples of contributions, the emphasis is on the attitude of the giver. Contributions are not merely transactions but are acts of worship and expressions of love and obedience to God.1. (n.) The act of contributing.

2. (n.) That which is contributed; -- either the portion which an individual furnishes to the common stock, or the whole which is formed by the gifts of individuals.

3. (n.) An irregular and arbitrary imposition or tax levied on the people of a town or country.

4. (n.) Payment, by each of several jointly liable, of a share in a loss suffered or an amount paid by one of their number for the common benefit.

CONTRIBUTION

kon-tri-bu'-shun (koinonia, "communion" or "fellowship," Romans 15:26 2 Corinthians 9:13): The meaning "contribution" is drawn from the context, rather than from the Greek word. The phrase in the passage cited, literally rendered, would be "to exercise" or "put fellowship into activity." The koinonia subsisting among believers because of their inner communion with Christ places them and their gifts and possessions at the service of one another (see COMMUNION). They are enjoined. not to forget to communicate (Hebrews 13:16). To be "communicative" (koinonikoi) is to be a habit of their lives, the Christian principle being that of the holding of all property as a trust, to be distributed as there is need (Acts 2:44 2 Corinthians 8:14 f). The first occasion for calling this fellowship into activity, by way of "contributions," was within the church at Jerusalem and for its needy members (see COMMUNITY OF GOODS). The second occasion was repeatedly from the infant Gentilechurches for the poor within the same church (Acts 11:29 Romans 15:26 2 Corinthians 8:1-4; 2 Corinthians 9:2); the fellowship thus widening from intra-congregational to general church benevolence. These contributions were gathered weekly (1 Corinthians 16:2 f), were proportioned to the means of the givers (Acts 11:29 1 Corinthians 16:2), were not exacted or prescribed, in a legalistic manner, but were called forth as the free-will offerings of grateful hearts (2 Corinthians 8:7), springing from th community spirit, and were sent to their destination by accredited representatives of the congregations (1 Corinthians 16:3 Acts 11:30).

H. E. Jacobs

2842. koinonia -- fellowship
... Word Origin from koinonos Definition fellowship NASB Word Usage contribution (2),
fellowship (12), participation (2), sharing (3). fellowship; contribution. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2842.htm - 7k

3048. logeia -- a collection
... ah) Short Definition: a collection, collecting Definition: a collection, collecting
(of money), particularly of an irregular local contribution for religious ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3048.htm - 6k

2024. epichoregia -- a supply
... supply. From epichoregeo; contribution -- supply. see GREEK epichoregeo. (epichoregias)
-- 2 Occurrences. 2023, 2024. epichoregia. 2025 . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2024.htm - 6k

2878. korban -- an offering
... the offering; a consecrated present (to the Temple fund); by extension (the latter
term) the Treasury itself, ie The room where the contribution boxes stood ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2878.htm - 6k

8641. terumah -- contribution, offering (for sacred uses)
... 8640, 8641. terumah. 8642 . contribution, offering (for sacred uses).
Transliteration: terumah Phonetic Spelling: (ter-oo-maw') Short Definition: ...
/hebrew/8641.htm - 6k

8642. terumiyyah -- what belongs to a contribution, a contribution
... terumiyyah. 8643 . what belongs to a contribution, a contribution. Transliteration:
terumiyyah Phonetic Spelling: (ter-oo-mee-yaw') Short Definition: allotment ...
/hebrew/8642.htm - 6k

The Contribution of Science to Christianity
... The Contribution of Science to Christianity. ... This loan of the instruments
constitutes the first great contribution of science to religion. ...
/.../berkhof/new evangelism and other papers/the contribution of science to.htm

The Contribution of the Natural and Social Sciences
... CHAPTER V THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE NATURAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES. ... Therewith it is not
alleged that religion has not a specific contribution to make. POSITIVISM. ...
/.../chapter v the contribution of.htm

The Strange Jumble of the Pleroma the Frantic Delight of the ...
... Chapter XII."The Strange Jumble of the Pleroma The Frantic Delight of the Members
Thereof. Their Joint Contribution of Parts Set Forth with Humorous Irony. ...
/.../tertullian/against the valentinians/chapter xii the strange jumble of.htm

The Spiced Wine of My Pomegranate;
... The word ????? or communion, is frequently employed by inspired writers
in the sense of communication or contribution. When, in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the spiced wine of my.htm

Rom. xv. 25-27
... saints. For it has pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain
contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxx rom xv 25-27.htm

Introduction
... compilations? The first really masterly contribution to our English hymnody
from Greek sources was that made by Dr. Neale. With ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/brownlie/hymns of the apostolic church/introduction.htm

The Formation of the CIM
... My wish was, not that those present should be relieved by making such contribution
as might there and then be convenient, under the influence of a present ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter xix the formation of.htm

Works by the Rev. Marcus Dods, DD
... each. "An excellent contribution to the series (Expositor's Bible). ... "An interesting
contribution to a most important subject.""Presbyterian Churchman. ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/works by the rev marcus.htm

Foreword
... the full beauty of the originals, he still hopes that they may convey a fair impression
of these and constitute a not unworthy contribution to American hymnody ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/foreword.htm

Introduction
... that for any other division of the school. This book is a choice contribution
to that literature. It comes from a man who has devoted ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/alexander/the boy and the sunday school/introduction.htm

Contribution (24 Occurrences)
... benefit. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CONTRIBUTION. kon ... 30). HE Jacobs.
Multi-Version Concordance Contribution (24 Occurrences). Acts ...
/c/contribution.htm - 16k

Papyrus (4 Occurrences)
...Contribution to New Testament Study 12. Chief Collections 13. ... These are now so abundant
and extensive as to make an important contribution to the Homeric text. ...
/p/papyrus.htm - 34k

Club (7 Occurrences)
... members. 4. (n.) A joint charge of expense, or any person's share of it; a
contribution to a common fund. 5. (vt) To beat with a club. ...
/c/club.htm - 9k

Collection (7 Occurrences)
... persons. 4. (n.) A gathering of money for charitable or other purposes,
as by passing a contribution box for freewill offerings. 5 ...
/c/collection.htm - 11k

Shekel (37 Occurrences)
... The temple contribution, with which the public sacrifices were bought (Exodus
30:13; 2 Chronicles 24:6), consisted of one common shekel, or a sanctuary half ...
/s/shekel.htm - 23k

Trophimus (3 Occurrences)
... throughout all the churches, but also that he was chosen by the churches to travel
with him, ie with Paul, with this grace, ie with the contribution of money ...
/t/trophimus.htm - 15k

Affliction (120 Occurrences)
... The profoundest contribution in the Old Testament to a solution of the problem is
the idea of the vicarious and redemptive significance of pain and sorrow. ...
/a/affliction.htm - 53k

Contributions (19 Occurrences)

/c/contributions.htm - 12k

Ostraca
... Their historical contribution, aside from the mention of many names of persons and
places, is slender, but for ancient Hebrew writing and to a less extent for ...
/o/ostraca.htm - 10k

Oblation (208 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A gift or contribution made to a church, as for the expenses of the
Eucharist, or for the support of the clergy and the poor. Int. ...
/o/oblation.htm - 40k

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