They First Gave Themselves To The Lord

CHURCH ARTICLE | Brian Sullivan | Jordan, Ontario

One does not have to look far in the Scriptures to learn God has a special place in His heart for “orphans and widows,” those who are incapable of providing for themselves (Malachi 3:5). Christ maintained the “poor” you have always with you (Matthew 26:11), not to discourage His followers from helping the poor, but to alert them to this reality. Articles on the church and its role in benevolence are essential because too many begin to examine the question with their “emotions on their sleeves” and reach “emotion-driven” conclusions that force them to act outside of the authority of the Scriptures (Colossians 3:17). Benevolence, or assistance to those in need, is not difficult to understand if we “first give ourselves to the Lord” as those of Macedonia did in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5. Whether it be through the church or as an individual, we should do what we are able to do because it is in accord with Christ’s desire for His people to share what they have been blessed with (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

It is ironic that the first problem encountered among the Lord’s people in the book of Acts centered around giving help in benevolent situations. In Acts 4:34-37 benevolence was handled correctly, but in Acts 5:1-11 Ananias and Sapphira died as punishment for lying. They had sold property like other disciples in Acts 4, but instead of honestly telling the apostles that they had only given a portion of what they had profited, they wanted the glory for giving all of the proceeds from their land sale just as others had done in order to meet the temporary need. It was their decision as to how much they would keep and how much they would give of the proceeds (Acts 5:4) but they lied about it and death ensured for each of them when they were questioned by the apostles.

In God’s plan both the individual and the church have responsibilities in the matter of benevolence. There are times when we need to open our hearts and open our wallets to help individuals who need help (James 1:27; Galatians 6:6, 10). Some have been known to say, “I gave at the office” to imply that if they gave their money to the church through the first day of the week’s contribution, then the church should do their work for them. Two grievous mistakes may follow. First, as an individual Christian, you fail to carry out the mandate that God gave you in benevolence. Second, the local church may then seek to make up for the individual’s lack of responsibility, and as a result, gets involved in a wider effort of benevolence than God assigned. The individual is to help both those within and without the church, but the church’s responsibility in benevolence is limited to “the saints.”

God Made the Distinction (1 Timothy 5:3-16)

Open your Bible to 1 Timothy 5:3-16 for a study of the work of individuals and the collective work of the church in regard to the care of widows. There are several distinctions drawn in the immediate text that are important for us to notice. First, there is a difference between one widow and another in this context. One widow has relatives (children, or other relatives to assist her), while another widow (the “widow indeed” of the King James Version) is all alone and has no relatives (1 Timothy 5:3-5). Second, there is a distinction drawn by God’s Spirit that would show who the church can provide for and who the individual must provide for (see verses 8 & 16). if someone has relatives, the relatives are to take the responsibility of the widow’s care (v. 8). If she does not have relatives but is all alone, the church has authority to assist her. Third, God has given some insight into who is worthy of this help from the church in verses 5-16. This context demonstrates that God also gave them a way of determining whether the woman was to be helped by the church. She must be a very spiritual person (consider the description of verses 5-10 which shows basic qualities of a believer). Younger widows are warned of the dangers that lie before them and are encouraged to marry and bear children (v. 14). Fourth, God has also established an age category for widows indeed to be provided for by the church (v. 9; sixty years of age). Check carefully the Scripture and its context, then you will see God set the parameters just as He said He would (Matthew 16:19).

The Sum Total of Truth on Benevolence as a work of the church

There are in total nine passages in the New Testament that speak of the work of benevolence for the church. These provide the pattern for us in that work today. In each case, we ask you to open your Bible and view the whole context. We will draw attention to portions of the texts that contain especially pertinent information. The NKJV is used for all citations.

Acts 2:44-45: “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.“

This sharing of goods was not “communism” but “community.” People had come a distance to celebrate the Passover and Pentecost. They were there when the gospel was first preached and they stayed longer perhaps to learn more from the apostles. When their supplies ran low, others among those who had responded to Christ met their needs by sharing what they had.

Acts 4:32-37: “Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses shold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

The practice of Acts 2:44-45 continued here in Acts 4.

Acts 6:1-7: “Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, ‘It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

There was a matter of neglect to certain widows who were being overlooked and the problem was resolved by the apostles having the brethren choose men to handle it, ensuring that benevolent care to all widows was provided.

Acts 11:27-30: “And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Cladius Caesar. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.“

Though the famine may have reached a wider circle than just the believers, this passage shows that the church at Antioch responded by “sending relief to the brethren dwelling in Jerusalem.”

Several passages speak of elements of the collection and delivery of financial help for the poor saints in Jerusalem (Romans 15:25-32; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8 & 9). These local congregations did not pool their resources or funnel them through one church, but each independent congregation chose messengers to deliver their help directly to the ones in need. Each local church’s independent work will become evident in the mention of “messengers” in several places in these scriptures that deal with this major effort. Here are just a few of the pertinent verses out of this selection.

Romans 15:25-33: “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. Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain, that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints.”

1 Corinthians 16:1-4: “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.”

These ones who would be approved by letters from the Corinthian church are mentioned in 2 Corinthians 8:16-24 (“messengers of the churches”). These messengers are possibly the same men listed in Acts 20:4 who were travelling with Paul.

2 Corinthians 8:1-24: (please read the entire text from your Bible, we will draw attention to some specific mentions within the text, bvs).

The help was from “the churches of Macedonia” (v 1).
They wanted to be part of this effort: “imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints“ (v 4).
Paul’s words to those at Corinth encouraged them to fulfill their commitment to this effort: “For I do not mean that others should be eased and you be burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack – that there be an equality.” (v 13-15).
As mentioned previously, messengers were selected by the churches who sent help and this was for the purpose of doing things honorably in the sight of God and men: “avoiding this, that anyone should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us – providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men” (v 20-21).

2 Corinthians 9: (please read the entire text from the Bible, we will draw attention to some specific mentions within the text, bvs)

Who was this help for? “Now concerning the ministering to the saints…“ You might want to consider Paul’s use of “saints” in 1 Corinthians 1:1-2 and 2 Corinthians 2:1.
“For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God” (v 12).
“while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men“ (v 13).

Some want to argue that the church was involved in helping all people, Christians and non-Christians alike, by appealing to the phrase “all men” in verse 13. Yet, we have had a host of references throughout this chapter that connects the benevolent gift as being for “needy saints.” The UBS New Testament Handbook Series comments on the phrase, “for them and all others,” by stating:

“The pronoun ‘them’ refers to the ‘saints’ in Jerusalem. ‘All others’ refers to Christians in other places.” (from the UBS New Testament Handbook Series. Copyright © 1961-1997, by United Bible Societies; PC Study Bible).

1 Timothy 5:9-16: (see the text in your Bible and the discussion in the earlier part of this article, bvs).

Conclusion
Does the individual have a responsibility to help others? Yes, our own family and anyone around us in need of help. Consider James 1:27, Galatians 6 and Jesus’ instruction to the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:21). Loving our neighbor involves more than merely not doing him harm, but we must also be prepared to do him good – to help him in difficulties and to love him as we do ourselves. Does the church have authorized work in the matter of benevolence? Yes, the churches are to respond to the genuine need to help the saints. When the need is greater than any one local church can handle, other churches can decide to participate in the benevolent aid. However, this is not to be done by pooling funds. Instead, local, independent congregations may raise funds and send them with their messenger(s) to the intended place to meet the needs of the saints. May God help us to do what He desires us to do, in the way He desires us to do it.

19.04.02 | GROW magazine