When the early apostles (John, Peter, and James) had validated Paul's early ministry, they encouraged him to have a heartfelt concern for poor believers: "Only they asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do" (Gal. 2:10). Paul dearly loved the impoverished saints in Jerusalem, and was fully aware that God wanted their needs met. Paul knew that they would be devastated by the coming famine. He also understood that they would not be able to sustain themselves in the face of the increasing persecution coming upon them from the Jews.
"Now in those days, some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and indicated by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. And as any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the service of the brothers living in Judea. And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders." Acts 11:29-30 (cf. Acts 18:23-21:16)
"Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week each one of you is to set something aside, saving whatever he has prospered, so that no collections be made when I come. And when I arrive, whomever you may approve, I will send them with letters to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem, and if it is fitting for me to go also, they will go with me." 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 (cf. 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15)
Let us use some logic, reasoning, and common sense, shall we? In the midst of a famine, what good is money going to do you? Chances are usually pretty high that it would be useless to you. Not only that, but what is it that widows, orphans, the poor, the sick, and the imprisoned need the most? Clearly not money. These collections most likely consisted of food, much the exact same way that the tithe consisted of food (save for one passage [Deut. 14:22-29] where if the distance was too great for you to transport your animals and food, you were allowed to sell them and then once you arrive at the final destination, buy what you needed). If the distance of a collection was such that the food would be of no good by the time it arrived in Jerusalem, then the collection would most likely consist of money.
However, if the collection did consist of money, there would have to be food available somewhere that the Jerusalem saints could purchase with the money. Otherwise, the gesture would be empty and you might as well do as James describes: "If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?" (James 2:15-16). If you are in the midst of a famine, and someone hands you a bunch of money, what use is that? Can you eat it?
Regarding 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, John MacArthur says, "This passage contains several important principles on giving that not only explain how Paul wanted that specific collection conducted, but also indicate what kind of model of Christian giving the church today ought to follow." As godly as he may be, and as much as I respect him, Mr. MacArthur commits several errors in his teachings on the collection.
First, Mr. MacArthur claims that "each one of you" (1 Cor. 16:2) "universally eliminates any excuse or exemption for any believer from the regular ministry of giving." He says, "[Paul] commands all to be generous with whatever they have." Paul may encourage generosity, but he certainly does not command it. Perhaps Mr. MacArthur would like to inform himself of the fact that there is no command contained anywhere in the New Testament to give. Giving is voluntary. Period. Otherwise it would not be an act of worship. Perhaps he would like to remind himself of Paul's words elsewhere: "Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7). Giving is not mandatory nor compulsive.
Giving is to be an act of worship and come from the heart, from a sincere love for God and for others: "But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth" (1 John 3:17-18). The New Testament is extremely specific as to what giving looks like, and it has nothing to do with lining some preacher's pocket nor with paying the bills and maintenance of a temple (building) that Jesus never intended us to have in the first place! Until Emperor Constantine provided them, filling them with relics he took from other pagan temples, Christians did not have, nor meet in, temples. If the church you attend will not use your giving for what the New Testament intends it to be used for, then you have the responsibility to make sure it goes where God intended it: widows, orphans, the poor, the sick, the imprisoned, and missionaries planting congregations. You are not obligated to give it to your church.
"For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. ... Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me." (Matthew 25:34-40)
This is what biblical giving looks like! Not only to the world, to show them the love of Jesus that is within us and to prove that we are not merely filled with vain talk, but especially to those of the household of faith. Giving is supposed to be an act of worship, yet most congregants find themselves held in bondage to the eisegesis committed and forced upon them by their preachers.
Second, Mr. MacArthur claims, "The opening verses of 1 Corinthians 16 present the essential model for how Christian giving should be handled." No, it does not. The Corinthian Christians were not giving to their preacher or their local congregation; they were giving relief aid to the struggling congregation in Jerusalem who were enduring persecution from the Jews again and suffering from the famine.
Yes, Christians ought to be generous whenever an opportunity arises, because as they do unto others they are doing unto the Lord (Matt. 25:34-36). As Paul reminds them of what Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give then to receive" (Acts 20:35). Especially North Americans whom God has blessed in abundance. As Paul was doing with the Greek congregations, to help the struggling Jerusalem congregation, North Americans should be doing the same for the struggling congregations in the Middle East and elsewhere. Unfortunately, we are often too selfish and greedy. Giving includes our time, talents, and treasure in order to help those who are in need. It is not concerned with only, or even primarily, our money. Prove yourself a genuine convert of Christianity by giving the way God intended to begin with. If you are too proud, stubborn, and greedy to help those less fortunate than yourself whenever an opportunity arises, then as John points out, you have no business trying to call yourself a Christian because the evidence is written all over your inactions.