2

Introduction

New Testament reveals God’s mind: 1 Cor. 2:1-13 Completeness: Jn. 16:13; Jude 3;

Gal. 1:6-9; 2 Pet. 1:3; 2 Tim. 3:17 Pattern: Heb. 8:5; 1 Cor. 2:9; 4:17;

Phil. 3:17; 2 Tim. 1:13 Authority: Col. 3:17; Phil. 1:27;

Eph. 4:1; 1 Cor. 4:6; 1 Pet. 4:11; Matt. 26:26-29; Acts 20:7; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Matt. 7:21-23

Part 12: God’s Pattern For Benevolence

1 Corinthians 2:1-13

The New Testament

Church

Three important things to remember:

1) Benevolence is a very emotionally charged subject.

2) We cannot let emotions rule and determine what is right (Jer. 10:23; Prov. 14:12; Num. 20:1-13; 1 Chron. 13:11; 15:13).

3) What is right must be determined by: “What saith the Scriptures?” (Rom. 4:3; 1 Pet. 4:11; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).

4

Two realms of benevolent responsibility

1 Timothy 5:3-16

Individual Christians: vv. 4, 16, 8

Local church: v. 16

Patterns: Benevolence

5

Two realms of benevolent responsibility

Summary of 1 Timothy 5:3-16 Clearly defines a pattern.

Clearly distinguishes between the benevolent res-ponsibilities of individual Christians vs. the local church.

Clearly teaches individual Christian have benevolent responsibilities that cannot be avoided or shifted to the local church.

Clearly teaches the local church has certain benevolent responsibilities to its members in need.Patterns:

Benevolence

6

Benevolent responsibility of the local church

Three recorded cases in NT: Jerusalem church cared for its

needy: Acts 2:44-47; 4:32-37

Church at Antioch sent aid to needy saints in Judea: Acts 11:27-30

Several churches sent aid to “poor saints in Jerusalem”: 1 Cor. 16:1-3; Rom. 15:26-26; 2 Cor. 8, 9

Patterns: Benevolence

7

Benevolent responsibilities of the local church

Local church authorized to maintain a treasury for such purposes: 1 Cor. 16:1-2

Clear pattern concerning these funds: Purpose: Acts 11:29; 4:35; 2 Cor. 8:14; 9:12 Manner: 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 8:4; Acts

11:29; 2 Cor. 8:12; 9:7; Acts 4:32; 2 Cor. 8:3; 9:5, 6, 7

Subjects: Church at Jerusalem: Acts 2:44-47; 4:32-37 Church at Antioch: Acts 11:27-30 Churches of Galatia, Macedonia, Achaia: 1 Cor.

16:1-3; Rom. 15:25-26; 2 Cor. 8, 9

Patterns: Benevolence

8

Benevolent responsibilities of the local church

Local church authorized to maintain a treasury for such purposes: 1 Cor. 16:1-2

Clear pattern concerning these funds: Distribution:

Patterns: Benevolence

9

Benevolent responsibilities of the local church

Distribution of funds: Jerusalem: Acts 2:44-47; 4:32-37

Patterns: Benevolence

Elders &

Deacons

Needy Saints

THIS

10

Benevolent responsibilities of the local church

Distribution of funds: Jerusalem: Acts 2:44-47; 4:32-37

Patterns: Benevolence

Elders &

Deacons

Needy Saints

NOT THISBenevol

ent Society/Sponsor

ing Church

11

Two realms of benevolent responsibility

Distribution of funds: Judean relief: Acts 11:27-30; 14:23; 1 Pet. 5:2; 1 Thess. 2:14; Gal. 1:22

Patterns: Benevolence

Antioch

NOT THIS

Ben. Socie

ty

Paul&

Barnabas

Bethany

Emmaus

Lydda

Joppa

12

Two realms of benevolent responsibility

Distribution of funds: Judean relief: Acts 11:27-30; 14:23; 1 Pet. 5:2; 1 Thess. 2:14; Gal. 1:22

Patterns: Benevolence

Antioch

NOR THIS

Jerusalem

Paul&

Barnabas

Bethany

Emmaus

Lydda

Joppa

13

Two realms of benevolent responsibility

Distribution of funds: Judean relief: Acts 11:27-30; 14:23; 1 Pet. 5:2; 1 Thess. 2:14; Gal. 1:22

Patterns: Benevolence

THIS

Antioch

Bethany

Emmaus

Lydda

Joppa

Paul & Barnabas

Sending church sent funds directly to receiving church with needy saints.

14

Two realms of benevolent responsibility

Distribution of funds: Jerusalem relief: Acts 11:27-30; 14:23; 1 Pet. 5:2; 1 Thess. 2:14; Gal. 1:22

Patterns: Benevolence

NOT THISAntio

chS.C.

Galatia

Thessa-

lonica

Philippi

Corinth

Paul, Silas, & others

Jerusalem

15

Two realms of benevolent responsibility

Distribution of funds: Jerusalem: Acts 11:27-30; 14:23; 1 Pet. 5:2; 1 Thess. 2:14; Gal. 1:22

Patterns: Benevolence

NOT THISBen.Socie

ty

Galatia

Thessa-

lonica

Philippi

Corinth

Paul, Silas, & others

Jerusalem

16

Two realms of benevolent responsibility

Distribution of funds: Jerusalem: Acts 11:27-30; 14:23; 1 Pet. 5:2; 1 Thess. 2:14; Gal. 1:22

Patterns: Benevolence

THIS

Jerusalem

Galatia

Thessa-

lonica

Philippi

Corinth

Paul, Silas, & others

Sending church sent funds directly to receiving church with needy saints.

17

Benevolent responsibilities of the local church

Let’s review the “pattern”: Purpose:

Provide necessities of life; aid based upon needs existing among saints in the receiving church.

The need arose before churches asked for assistance; didn’t create a need and then beg for funds!

The needs were always temporary; aid only sent until need was relieved.Patterns:

Benevolence

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Benevolent responsibilities of the local church

Let’s review the “pattern”: Manner:

Funds raised on first day of the week as saints gave as they purposed in their heart, according to their ability.

Funds not raised by bake sales, bingo, car washes, beer tents, raffling off a Buick.

Funds not collected any other time than on first day of the week.

Christians did not tithe nor was the amount based on a man-made formula.Patterns:

Benevolence

19

Benevolent responsibilities of the local church

Let’s review the “pattern”: Subjects:

Always “needy saints”; not general benevolence.

Never used as an “aid” to evangelism: Acts 11:27-30; Prov. 14:12; Jn. 6:26-27; 66-67

The gospel is what God uses to call men to salvation: Rom. 1:16-17; 10:17; 2 Thess. 2:13-14

That the local church is not authorized to aid non-believers does not mean individual Christians don’t have responsibilities in this regard.

Patterns: Benevolence

20

Benevolent responsibilities of the local church

Let’s review the “pattern”: Distribution:

No local church both received and sent funds (no sponsoring church).

Funds were always sent directly to the elders of the local church to be distributed to the “needy saints” of that congregation.

Never an intervening “benevolent society” or “sponsoring church.”

Patterns: Benevolence

A failure by the local congregation to follow the New

Testament pattern in benevolence has the same

ramifications and consequences as not following the New Testament pattern in any other area (e.g., worship, plan of salvation, etc.; recall

Lk. 6:46; Matt. 7:21-23).

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Benevolent responsibilities of individual Christians

Materialistic attitudes of our society are our biggest enemy when it comes to meeting our individual benevolent obligations.

Must be careful we are not influenced: 1 Cor. 15:33; 1 Jn. 2:15-17

One purpose of work is to have funds to share with those in need: Eph. 4:28

Patterns: Benevolence

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Benevolent responsibilities of individual Christians

Adverse effects of materialism: Overspend on “things” to the

point we don’t have anything to give those in need.

Consumed with the “bigger barn” syndrome: Lk. 12:16-21

Downright stinginess: Mk. 10:17-22

Objects of benevolence can have unrealis-tic expectations.

Patterns: Benevolence

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Benevolent responsibilities of individual Christians

Scope of our individual responsibility: 1 Jn. 3:17-18; Jas. 2:14-17; 1 Tim. 6:17-19; Matt. 25:31-46

Family: 1 Tim. 5:4, 8, 16

Fatherless and widows: Jas. 1:27

All men: Lk. 10:25-37; Matt. 25:31-46; Gal. 6:10

Patterns: Benevolence

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Benevolent responsibilities of individual Christians

For individual Christian to fail in his duty to the “fatherless and widows” or to “all men” is no less sinful than failing our responsibilities to our family or the local church.

Judgment is on an individual basis! Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:10; Matt. 25:31-46

Biggest danger of liberal position is a false sense of security that one has discharged his individual responsibility when he has not.

Patterns: Benevolence

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Conclusion

NT makes a clear distinction between church and individual benevolent responsibilities: 1 Tim. 5:16

Failing to follow the NT pattern in regards to benevolence is no different than failing to follow other NT patterns (e.g., worship, work, organization, plan of salvation, etc.; 2 Jn. 9).

Cannot shift our individual responsibilities to the church.

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Conclusion

Denominations and liberal churches of Christ violate the NT pattern for benevolence: 1 Tim. 5:16

Fund raising: 1 Cor. 16:1-2

General benevolence: Acts 11:27-30, etc.