In our culture, the focal point of authority is money. Some passages suggest that Christians have an obligation to support certain people monetarily.
- Early Christians in Jerusalem shared with each other.
- Acts 2:44 – 45 They had all things in common.
- Acts 4:34 – 35 They distributed to each as anyone had need.
- Acts 5:4 Christians were under no compulsion to sell property or share assets.
- Christians in other places sent funds for famine relief in Jerusalem.
- Acts 11:29 The disciples [in Antioch of Syria]…determined to send relief.
- 1 Corinthians 16:1 – 3 Now concerning the collection for the saints…
- 2 Corinthians 8 – 9 …by way of equality
- Teachers of the gospel are to be supported financially.
- 3 John 6 …that we may become fellow workers.
- Titus 3:13 Send Zenas and Apollos on their journey…that they may lack nothing.
- 1 Corinthians 9:3 – 14 Who goes to war at his own expense?
- 1 Timothy 5:17 – 18 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor.
- Needy brethren are to be helped.
- Matthew 25:35 – 40 …I was hungry and you gave me food…
- 1 John 3:17 …and shuts his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
- Generally helping the poor
- Ephesians 4:28 …labor that you may share.
- Galatians 2:10 …remember the poor.
- Luke 14:12 – 14 When you give a feast, invite the poor…
- Taking care of needy relatives is essential
- 1 Timothy 5:8 …anyone not providing for his own…is worse than an unbeliever.
- Sharing must be from love.
- 1 Corinthians 13:3 …but have not love, it profits me nothing.
- Poverty will not be eradicated; honoring Jesus is a more worthy expenditure.
- Matthew 26:11, Mark 14:7, John 12:8 The poor you will have with you always.
- Deciding how to share is not a matter of resources or priorities, but of faith.
- 2 Corinthians 8:12 …according to what a man has, not what he does not have.
- 2 Corinthians 9:6 He who sows sparingly will reap sparingly.
- 2 Corinthians 9:7 God loves a cheerful giver.
- 2 Corinthians 12:14 Children ought not to lay up for the parents, but parents for the children.
Who decides with whom I am to share?
- The apostles had authority to demand support; they are not recorded to have used that right.
- One who claims authority over the finances of another takes what God has not granted.
- Asserting that someone else must give money to a certain cause in order to have worthy faith is ungodly manipulation.
- All believers have liberty. Each must assess his or her own generosity and share accordingly.