Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of "contributed" often relates to the act of giving or offering resources, time, or talents for the service of God and the support of His work. This act of contribution is seen as a reflection of one's faith and commitment to God's commandments and the well-being of the community.
Old Testament ContributionsIn the Old Testament, contributions were a significant part of the religious and communal life of the Israelites. The Law of Moses outlined various offerings and tithes that the people were required to contribute. For instance, 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 contribution was for the construction of the Tabernacle, a central place of worship.
The concept of tithing, or giving a tenth of one's produce or income, is another form of contribution emphasized in the Old Testament.
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." This practice was intended to support the Levitical priesthood and the functioning of the temple.
New Testament ContributionsIn the New Testament, the early Christian community continued the practice of contributing to the needs of the church and its members.
Acts 2:44-45 describes the early believers: "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need." This communal sharing was a form of contribution that demonstrated the unity and love within the early church.
The Apostle Paul also addressed the importance of contributions in his letters. 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 that contributions should be made willingly and joyfully, reflecting the giver's devotion to God and concern for others.
Spiritual SignificanceContributions in the Bible are not merely financial or material; they also encompass the giving of one's time, talents, and spiritual gifts.
Romans 12:6-8 encourages believers to use their gifts for the benefit of the church: "We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one's gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do so cheerfully."
ConclusionThe act of contributing is deeply rooted in biblical teachings and is seen as an expression of faith, obedience, and love. It serves to support the work of God, care for the community, and foster spiritual growth among believers. Through contributions, individuals participate in the mission of the church and demonstrate their commitment to living out the principles of the Kingdom of God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Contribute.
Greek
4323. prosanatithemi -- to lay on besides, hence to undertake...... Word Origin from pros and anatithemi Definition to lay on besides, hence to undertake
besides (mid.) NASB Word Usage consult (1),
contributed (1).
...Strong's Hebrew
7311. rum -- to be high or exalted, rise... root Definition to be high or exalted, rise NASB Word Usage aloud (1), became proud
(1), become proud (1), boldly* (2), brought (1),
contributed (5), defiantly
...Library
To what Profit the Romans Carried on Wars, and How Much they...
... Book V. Chapter 17."To What Profit the Romans Carried on Wars, and How Much They
Contributed to the Well-Being of Those Whom They Conquered....
That the Obscenities of those Plays which the Romans Consecrated...
... Chapter 27."That the Obscenities of Those Plays Which the Romans Consecrated in
Order to Propitiate Their Gods,Contributed Largely to the Overthrow of...
What Plato or Labeo, or Even Varro, Might haveContributed to the...
... Chapter 28."What Plato or Labeo, or Even Varro, Might HaveContributed to the True
Faith of the Resurrection, If They Had Adopted One Another's Opinions into...
In the Fifteenth Year of Tiberius C??sar and under the Pontificate...
... foreigners. Each classcontributed its share to the common decay.... other. More than
any other cause, itcontributed to the ruin of Roman society....
Appendix.
... Encyclopaedia, art. Indulgences (contributed by WH Kent, OSC, of Bayswater, London);
Carl Ullmann, "Reformers before the Reformation," Vol. I...
A visit to the Base
... glory of God this sum might be forthcoming. The months passed by, and sums
various werecontributed. We were due to leave England in...
The Strange Jumble of the Pleroma the Frantic Delight of the...
... part consists of a pleasing variety. They allcontributed the one good thing,
which they all were. There would be, in all probability...
2 Cor. I. 12
... he should thus make the hearer supine, presuming on God's mercy only and the prayers
of others, he showeth that they themselves [480] hadcontributed not a...
John xix. 16-18
... They crucified Him too with thieves, in this also unintentionally fulfilling prophecy;
for what they did for insultcontributed to the truth, that thou mayest...
Of Serapion the Deacon on Whose Account John Becomes Odious to his...
... Whatcontributed greatly to gain credence for these complaints was the fact that
the bishop was not willing to eat with any one else, and never accepted an...
Thesaurus
Contributed (13 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Contribute. Multi-Version Concordance
Contributed (13 Occurrences). Mark 12:44 for they
...Pool (25 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The stake played for in certain games of cards, billiards, etc.; an aggregated
stake to which each player hascontributed a snare; also, the receptacle...
Spare (80 Occurrences)
... Mark 12:44 for they have allcontributed out of what they could well spare, but
she out of her need has thrown in all she possessed--all she had to live on...
Thrown (126 Occurrences)
... Mark 12:44 for they have allcontributed out of what they could well spare, but
she out of her need has thrown in all she possessed--all she had to live on...
Commentaries
... Bishop Patrick, usually classed with the Cambridge Platonists (died 1707),contributed
paraphrases and commentaries on the Old Testament from Genesis to...
Contribute (4 Occurrences)
Empire (8 Occurrences)
... 2. Cosmopolitanism: This state of affairscontributed largely to the spread of
cosmopolitanism which had set in with the Macedonia conqueror....
Kindly (57 Occurrences)
... Romans 15:26 for Macedonia and Greece have kindlycontributed a certain sum
in relief of the poor among God's people, in Jerusalem. (WEY)....
Jupiter (3 Occurrences)
... 6:2 is the genuine Greek deity, who had been adopted as a special patron by Antiochus
Epiphanes and to whose temple in Athens Antiochus hadcontributed largely...
Jehiel (17 Occurrences)
... (7.) A "prince" and "ruler of the house of God" whocontributed liberally to the
renewal of the temple sacrifices under Josiah (2 Chronicles 35:8)....
Resources
How old was Adam when he died? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Constantine the Great? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is progressivism? | GotQuestions.orgContributed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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