The Local Church and Benevolence ­ Part 1 by David Smitherman
Reprinted from the November, 1998 on-line edition of The Expository Files (http://www.geocities.com/~expository/)
It is easy for us to let our feelings, rather than scripture, determine our conclusions when it comes to such an emotionally charged discussion as providing for the physical needs of those in distress. But let's try to study this subject as dispassionately as possible.
In reaching accurate conclusions regarding this matter, we must approach the study with certain attitudes. First, as indicated above, let the objective study of scripture rather than the subjective feelings of our hearts (human wisdom), lead us to the proper conclusion. Then, let's make sure that the passage(s) we use to authorize local churches acting in benevolence are clearly demonstrating local churches, rather than an individual Christian or individual Christians, acting.
Remember that the authority for an individual Christian or individual Christians to act is not the same as the authority for a collective (local church) of Christians to act. Then, we need to look for a pattern. That is, do we have enough information from all the passages to allow us to conclude that a consistent practice was engaged in? If we do, then let's determine that we'll abide by that pattern.
Let's look at all the passages in the New Testament dealing with collective benevolence and then see what conclusions can be drawn. As always, the reader is urged to read all verses in their context to determine if the inferences of the writer are accurate (Acts 17:11).
The church in Jerusalem
Acts 2:44-45
Who was provided for: "all...any man", vs. 45
Who did the providing: "all that believed", vs. 44
What was given to alleviate the need: "their possessions and goods", vs. 45
To whom it was given: "to all", vs. 45
Acts 4:32-35
Who did the providing: "the multitude of them that believed", vs. 32
Who was provided for: those "among them...anyone who had need", vss. 34, 35
What was given: "the prices of the things that were sold", vs. 34
To whom it was given: "anyone who had need...among them", vss. 34, 35
Acts 6:1-6
Who did the providing: "the disciples", vss. 1-2
Who was provided for: "the Grecian Jews...their widows", vs. 1
What necessitated the relief: neglect "in the daily ministration", vs. 1
To whom was help given: "the Grecian Jews...their widows", vs. 1
The church in Antioch
Acts 11:27-30
Who did the providing: "the disciples", vs. 29
Who was provided for: "the brethren that dwelt in Judaea", vs. 29
What necessitated the relief: "a great famine" vs. 28
What was sent: "relief", vs. 29
To whom it was sent: "the brethren that dwelt in Judaea"
Congregations in Macedonia, Achaia and Galatia (all the following passages refer to the same relief effort)
Acts 24:17
Who was provided for: "my nation"
What was sent: "alms"
Rom. 15:25-32
Who was provided for: "the saints...the poor among the saints", vs. 25,26
What was sent: "ministration" vs. 31
To whom it was sent: "the poor among the saints that are at Jerusalem", vs. 26
Who provided the relief: "Macedonia and Achaia" vs. 26
1 Cor. 16:1-3
Who was provided for: "the saints", vs. 1
What was sent: "bounty", vs. 3
To whom it was sent: "the saints", vs. 1
Who provided the relief: "the churches of Galatia"
2 Cor. 8-9
Who was provided for: "the saints", 8:4; 9:1, 13
Who provided the relief: "the churches", vs. 23
What necessitated the relief: "want", 8:14; 9:12
Who did the providing: "the churches of Macedonia", 8:1
Any congregation
1 Tim. 5:9-16
Who is to be provided for: "widows indeed", vs. 16
Who is to do the providing: "the church", vs. 16
What is to be provided: relief, vs. 16
What can we conclude from these passages about the benevolent work of local churches in the first century?
[Editor's note: Bro. Smitherman will answer these questions in next week's issue. In the meantime study the passages above and draw your own conclusions.]
Look Into Your Heart ­ Author Unknown
(via e-mail from Katie Dillinger )
A story is told about a soldier who was finally coming home after having fought in Vietnam. He called his parents from San Francisco. "Mom and Dad, I'm coming home, but I've a favor to ask. I have a friend I'd like to bring home with me." "Sure," they replied, "we'd love to meet him."
"There's something you should know the son continued, "he was hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on a land mind and lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with us."
"I'm sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere to live." "No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us." "Son," said the father, "you don't know what you're asking. Someone with such a handicap would be a terrible burden on us. We have our own lives to live, and we can't let something like this interfere with our lives. I think you should just come home and forget about this guy. He'll find a way to live on his own."
At that point, the son hung up the phone. The parents heard nothing more from him. A few days later, however, they received a call from the San Francisco police. Their son had died after falling from a building, they were told. The police believed it was suicide. The grief-stricken parents flew to San Francisco and were taken to the city morgue to identify the body of their son. They recognized him, but to their horror they also discovered something they didn't know, their son had only one arm and one leg.
The parents in this story are like many of us. We find it easy to love those who are good-looking or fun to have around, but we don't like people who inconvenience us or make us feel uncomfortable. We would rather stay away from people who aren't as healthy, beautiful, or smart as we are.
Thankfully, there's someone who won't treat us that way. Someone who loves us with an unconditional love that welcomes us into the forever family, regardless of how messed up we are.
Tonight, before you tuck yourself in for the night, say a little prayer that God will give you the strength you need to accept people as they are, and to help us all be more understanding of those who are different from us!!!