329 – The Church’s Provision for the Poor

SEMESTER 2

329 – The Church’s Provision for the Poor

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE:  ECCLESIOLOGY II LESSON # 29
THE CHURCH’S PROVISION FOR THE POOR

Read Acts 6:1-4, Gal. 2:9-10, I Tim. 5:1-16.

INTRODUCTION:

1. These verses and others, as well as Christian compassion, forbid us to be insensitive to poverty.
2. Moreover, they assure us that the church as such has some social obligations.
3. Today’s social confusion makes these responsibilities difficult to identify.

III: The things the church is most often asked to provide for us.

4. Let us try to see from Scripture some light on this matter.

i. To whom does our responsibility extend?
ii. How much are we bound to provide?
iii. How does the order of priorities line up?

I. THE BASIC PRINCIPLE OF SOCIAL CHARITY (MAT. 11:5, MAT. 19:21, GAL. 2:9, JAMES 1:27, I JN. 3:17-18)

1. It is impossible to study Scripture and not see a responsibility to the poor.
2. It is also evident that this responsibility and involvement in it extended to the New Testament church.
3. The Lord cites it as a fulfillment of divine law.
4. James says it is “pure religion.”
5. Paul says it is something he was forward to do.
6. John says it is an indispensable mark of the love of God.

II. TO WHOM DOES THE CHURCH’S OBLIGATION EX­TEND?

1. In Acts 6:1-4, it was among the “disciples” as they increased.
2. Paul’s charge to Timothy related to those who were in the faith.
3. John’s exhortation, concerned a brother.
4. The offerings taken as in Rom. 15:25,26 and II Cor. 9:1 were for the poor “saints” at Jerusalem, etc.
5. Conversely, we find no direct charge to the church which seems to go beyond this.
6. The conception of the world, that the church is obliged to help provide for them is difficult, if not impossible, to prove from Scripture.
7. It is, however, very binding upon us concerning our fellow Chris­tians, and especially those Christians of our own family. (I Tim. 5:8)

III. HOW MUCH ARE WE BOUND TO PROVIDE?

1. The implication of Scripture is clearly food, raiment and shelter.
2. Anything beyond this is essentially luxury to be thankful for, but not demand­ed.
3. Most of the requests I get today start beyond this:

i. Transportation money.
ii. Motel money for people with a car.
iii. Airline tickets and bus tickets.
iv. Utility bills
v. Usually simple food is not appreciated.

III: Man’s transmission out on Cadillac, will not put family in Salvation Army Shelter.

IV. HOW DOES THE ORDER OF PRIORITIES LINE UP?

1. Sometimes the question is not so much propriety as priority, i.e., which do we put first.
2. The world will always put a greater emphasis on the physical than the spiritual.
3. The basic Bible principle is “first the kingdom of God.”
4. The Lord said worship is more important than feeding the poor. (Mat. 26:6-13)
5. Evangelism is far more important than social benevolence.

Conclusion: If we disciple, baptize and teach the principle of Mat. 6:33, we will have done the utmost for the poor.