In the context of the Bible, "contributors" refers to individuals or groups who provide resources, support, or assistance for the work of God, the needs of the community, or the welfare of others. The concept of contributing is deeply rooted in biblical teachings, emphasizing generosity, stewardship, and the communal responsibility of believers.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament provides numerous examples of contributions made for the construction and maintenance of the tabernacle and the temple. In Exodus 35:21, the Israelites are described as bringing offerings for the construction of the tabernacle: "Everyone whose heart stirred him and whose spirit prompted him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments." This passage highlights the voluntary and heartfelt nature of contributions, as the people gave according to their willingness and ability.

In 1 Chronicles 29:9, during the preparation for building the temple, the people rejoiced over their offerings: "The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. King David also rejoiced greatly." This demonstrates the communal joy and unity that arises from collective contributions to God's work.

New Testament Context

The New Testament continues the theme of contributions, particularly within the early Christian communities. In Acts 2:44-45, the early believers are described as sharing their possessions: "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need." This reflects the spirit of generosity and mutual support that characterized the early church.

The Apostle Paul frequently addressed the topic of contributions in his epistles. 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." Paul emphasizes the importance of giving willingly and joyfully, rather than out of obligation.

Principles of Contribution

1. Generosity and Willingness: Contributions should be made with a generous heart and a willing spirit. The Bible encourages believers to give freely and not under compulsion, as seen in 2 Corinthians 9:7.

2. Stewardship: Believers are called to be good stewards of the resources God has entrusted to them. This includes using their time, talents, and treasures for the advancement of God's kingdom and the support of others.

3. Community and Unity: Contributions foster a sense of community and unity among believers. Acts 2:44-45 illustrates how sharing resources can strengthen the bonds within the Christian community.

4. Support for Ministry and the Needy: Contributions are often directed towards supporting the work of the ministry and aiding those in need. This is evident in the collection for the saints in Jerusalem, as organized by Paul in 1 Corinthians 16:1-3.

5. Blessings and Rewards: The Bible teaches that those who contribute generously will be blessed. Proverbs 11:25 states, "A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."

Conclusion

The biblical concept of contributors encompasses a wide range of actions and attitudes, all centered around the principles of generosity, stewardship, and community. Through their contributions, believers participate in the work of God, support one another, and reflect the love and grace of Christ to the world.906. ballo -- to throw, cast
... word Definition to throw, cast NASB Word Usage bring (2), cast (15), casting (3),
casts (3), contributors (1), laid (1), lying (3), lying sick (1), place (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/906.htm - 10k

Contributors.
... CONTRIBUTORS. Upwards of fifty Clergymen, of five Christian denominations,
and belonging to sixteen different States, most of whom ...
/.../leland/the national preacher vol 2 no 7 dec 1827/contributors.htm

Preface.
... beginning had been made for the De Trinitate by the late Dr. Short, Bishop of Adelaide,
whose manuscript was kindly lent to one of the contributors to this ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/preface.htm

Preface
... The division of work among the contributors is indicated by the Table of
Contents. I should like to thank the general editors for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/richardson/early christian fathers/preface.htm

The National Preacher, Vol. 2 No. 7 Dec. 1827
... appear in the work. He will moreover think it his duty to present
Contributors a generous compensation. MINISTERS, of different ...
/.../leland/the national preacher vol 2 no 7 dec 1827/title page.htm

General Preface
... the final responsibility for the special interpretations and opinions introduced
into the separate volumes, rests entirely with the individual contributors. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/thomas/the prayers of st paul/general preface.htm

Editor's Preface
... But the contributors have been left free to take their own way. If they interpret
the text differently, they have been at liberty to say so. ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/editors preface.htm

1877-1879. "They Helped Every one his Neighbour" --Miss Child, a ...
... views. After this the gifts of clothing, &c., with which we had been supplied
by many contributors, were distributed among them. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter vii 1877-1879 they helped.htm

The Collection for St Paul: the Farewell
... Among the contributors might be Lydia, whose means may well have been comfortable;
and the Keeper of the Prison would be by no means a beggar: what gratitude ...
/.../moule/philippian studies/chapter xii the collection for.htm

Early English Interpreters of Spiritual Religion: John Everard ...
... Grocyn, Colet, and More, and he was a vital influence in the new revival, which
occurred in the seventeenth century, of Plato and Plotinus as contributors to a ...
/.../chapter xiii early english interpreters.htm

2 Cor. viii. 16
... it away. For this was of aid [829] towards this collection, and towards
increasing the forwardness of the contributors. For he that ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xviii 2 cor viii.htm

Contributors (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Contributors (1 Occurrence). Mark 12:43 So He
called His disciples to Him and said, "In solemn truth I ...
/c/contributors.htm - 6k

Contributions (19 Occurrences)

/c/contributions.htm - 12k

Contributory (1 Occurrence)

/c/contributory.htm - 7k

Agur (1 Occurrence)
... a'-gur ('aghur, seeming, from comparison with Arabic roots, to mean either "hireling,"
or "collector," "gatherer"): One of the contributors to Proverbs; his ...
/a/agur.htm - 7k

Thrown (126 Occurrences)
... He called His disciples to Him and said, "In solemn truth I tell you that this widow,
poor as she is, has thrown in more than all the other contributors to the ...
/t/thrown.htm - 37k

Solemn (100 Occurrences)
... He called His disciples to Him and said, "In solemn truth I tell you that this widow,
poor as she is, has thrown in more than all the other contributors to the ...
/s/solemn.htm - 43k

Apocrypha
... edited by Kautzsch is now passing through the (Oxford) press, Dr. RH Charles being
the editor, the writer of this article being one of the contributors.) II. ...
/a/apocrypha.htm - 48k

Hebrew (37 Occurrences)
... latter. The Qimchis were the most brilliant contributors to Bible exegesis
and Hebrew philology (like Ibn Ezra) in medieval times. ...
/h/hebrew.htm - 77k

Numbers (136 Occurrences)
... containing it are allocated to P? (b) Rebellion of Korah: Numbers 16 and 17 are
supposed to be the work of "two, if not three," contributors (Driver, Kautzsch ...
/n/numbers.htm - 71k

Truth (380 Occurrences)
... He called His disciples to Him and said, "In solemn truth I tell you that this widow,
poor as she is, has thrown in more than all the other contributors to the ...
/t/truth.htm - 57k

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