Benevolence to Needy Saints

 

The Work of the Church, Part 3

 

Introduction

We’ve been looking at the actual work of the church. Two weeks we covered, “Edifying the Saved” and this week’s article is about benevolence and should be cared for. There are a lot of people out there who believe that the church should be doing so much more that what listed in scripture but if we don’t have authority to do it, then we shouldn’t. As the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:6, Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.

 

Definition of Benevolence

From the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary: 1. The disposition to do good; good will; kindness; charitableness; the love, of mankind, accompanied with a desire to promote their happiness. The benevolence of God is one of his moral attributes; that attribute which delights in the happiness of intelligent beings. "God is love." 1 John 4.

Benevolence works two ways in regards to Christians; there is the benevolence from individuals and the benevolence from the church funds. Some will challenge the fact that if the members of a congregation are the church (which we have discussed in a previous article), then when an individual is helping someone; the church is helping someone. If that’s true, let’s consider these other possibilities…

If a Christian gets up and goes to work, does that mean the church is going to work?

If a Christian helps someone change a flat tire, does that mean the church is changing a flat tire?

If a Christian has dinner with his/her family, does that mean the church is having dinner with that family?

 You can see the absurdity of this rule. Let’s take this one step further; when changing a tire, you use your hands. Does that mean your feet are not a part of your body because only your hands are doing the work? Of course not! Since you primarily only need your hands to change a tire, that’s all that’s required. It doesn’t mean that your feet are still not part of the body (1Cor. 12:14-18).

 If a person gives someone on the street money for a meal, that doesn’t mean the entire “body” (or church) is giving the money. Individuals can do things separate and apart from the body of Christ (the church; Col. 1:18).

 

Benevolence by Individuals

 

In Gal. 6:10, the apostle Paul writes, Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. As we discussed in last week’s article, just because someone is from another congregation of a different city and/or state doesn’t give them the right to the money in the local congregation’s treasury. Likewise, the church is not to hand out money from its treasury to every and any person out there regardless of the need. People would state that this is an unchristian idea yet, if pressed, can’t find a scripture to support it. What happens when the local church provides money for everyone then one of its own has a need? If the money isn’t there, how do you respond?

This is why the individual should help out whenever possible and not let the church be burdened (1 Tim. 5:16). The church is NOT there to help everyone which is why soup kitchens, clothing drives, and other community services are condemned (1 Cor. 4:6).

 

Benevolence by the Church

When you read the book of Acts you see, not only the establishment of the church itself but, many examples of benevolence by a church to its members who were in need. No example is given of any nonmember receiving aid from a local congregation. Some will tell you that only widows are qualified to receive aid from the church treasury. If this were true, then why all the example found in Acts?

Let’s begin in chapter 2 and verse 41, Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 3,000 people were added to the church there in Jerusalem. A lot of them weren’t even from the area (see verses 8-10). But they didn’t want to go home. THIS is where the gospel began and this is where they wanted to be. How was this solved? Let’s move down to verses 44-45, Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

People sold what they didn’t need, the money went to the apostles (Acts 4:37), and they distributed it to whoever had a need. Of course, as the congregation continued to grow, there came a need for other to take charge of the distribution of funds. Some were getting overlooked and so seven men were chosen to take on that responsibility (read Acts 6:1-6).

Another example is found in Acts 11:27-30, when a famine was prophesized, funds were collected to be taken to the elders of another congregation. Barnabus and Saul were chosen to personally deliver the money into the hands of the elders (verse 30). This is not, by-the-way, a discussion on the sponsoring church. We’ll look at that in a future article.

But it doesn’t stop with the end of Acts. Here’s Paul talking about it to the church in Rome, But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. (Romans 15:25-26). If you want still more proof, please read 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9.

 

Benevolence to Widows

Now as for the widows, which we mentioned earlier; In 1 Tim. 5:16, Paul writes, If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows. At first glance, this looks like a contradiction. First, it says don’t let the church be burdened, then it says, “it may relieve widows”. The key is the first part of the verse, “If any believing man or woman has widows…” In other words, as long as a widow has family, they should be the ones caring for him/her instead of the church. This is supported back in verse 8, But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. A widow does not have to live under the same roof to be considered a member of the household.

To those widows in need; on a continuous basis, without family, could then be supported by the funds of the local congregation. In addition, individuals could also lend aid to assure that the treasury is not depleted in case of other issues that might arise; new roof, property maintenance, or emergency needs of the brethren.

 

Conclusion

The church funds are not to be given to everyone that comes along looking for a handout. Most people are capable of earning their keep but choose rather to live off “the kindness of others”.

The government is there to help those in need but too many don’t want a paper trail or put into “the system”. Should they turn to the government, then more is expected of them. This is why people would rather turn to churches to obtain money without questions; and without paying taxes, on that money.

Some churches have too much of a “soft spot” to say no to those who claim they are in need. We need to remember that church does not pick up where the government leaves off. Individuals can give of their own desire but not the church and its funds.