ABSTRACT
Built on a denominational base and a national, regional or local geographical context, Protestant Churches have only one common reference the Bible from which they have developed doctrines and special traditions, as well as organization of varying complexity. The internal laws of Protestant Churches have evolved to varying degrees, are specific to each church and rarely address the issue of resources. A quick historical overview and an analysis of the current context clearly show the existence of two trends, sometimes exclusive of each other, but which join together in the twenty-first century. Jean Calvin wrote: Scripture, in leading us to this reason, shows us again that everything that we have received by grace of the Lord has been committed to us on condition that we entrust it to the common good of the Church.
