This is the third time I am coming to you. EVERY FACT IS TO BE CONFIRMED BY THE TESTIMONY OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES. I have previously said when present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone, since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.
Paul closes his letter to the Corinthian church on a positive note,
But first, a little admonishment. There is a consequence for congregational impudence and it is encapsulated in Paul's statement..."if I come again I will not spare anyone, since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me". This sounds ominously like their next meeting will be direct and uncompromising. And basically Paul says "you are so foolish that you don't even know this is all about you...not me!" Paul has fully laid out his bona fides. He doesn't have to explain himself to anybody. They should know better...it's time to test themselves to see if they are even Christians.
"Examine yourselves!" Is Jesus in you, or not?
And here comes the good news. "For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down. Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you".
Paul's last words encourage the church that when he comes he is not going to be on the warpath. He will come to them "in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave...for building up and not for tearing down. For we Christians today...can we agree with Paul...the Gospel of Christ should be positive and nurturing rather than divisive and contentious. If our own experience within the Body of Christ is more the latter, we should examine our own hearts. Who are we? Are we people who live in peace within the Body? Do we rejoice with the Body? Are we comforters for the Body? Do we feel God's love and peace within us? Live boldly out there today...
March 19, 2016
March 18, 2016
2 Corinthians 12:1-6
"Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me."
Gill tells us Paul, in this chapter, continues to vindicate himself against the false teachers, and prove his apostleship, He references a very remarkable and unusual vision; one, which he describes in the third person, where he saw the third heaven in a vision...hearing things that no man is allowed to speak. He was not certain of the circumstance and condition in which he was when he saw it, of which he could give no account; as whether in or out of the body,
This is a low point in Paul's ministry. He is being forced to defend his authority and, in so doing, reveals things that occurred between himself and God that perhaps should have stayed private and personal.
Why?
Because, in his commitment to keep the Corinthian church from falling under the influence of false teachers, he is spending precious time and energy on himself rather that on the Gospel. That's why he says "boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable". In other words, there wasn't a chance anybody would become "born-again" by hearing Paul's defense of his authority.
What a waste...
I can't help wondering how many churches have drifted from their moorings because they got distracted by the cult of personality and lost sight of the Gospel. In truth, those churches are all around us. They surely had a faithful leader some time back but they traded him in for one who would tell them what they wanted to hear.
Paul wasn't going to let this happen in Corinth. He loved the church too much. I wonder...do we put our own pastors through this dilemma? Do we make demands on them that have little to do with the Gospel and much to do with our personal preferences?
One of two things is going to happen: He will waste his time defending himself with no profit or, he will leave for greener pastures. Either way, we lose. Let's be better than that.
Live boldly out there today...
Gill tells us Paul, in this chapter, continues to vindicate himself against the false teachers, and prove his apostleship, He references a very remarkable and unusual vision; one, which he describes in the third person, where he saw the third heaven in a vision...hearing things that no man is allowed to speak. He was not certain of the circumstance and condition in which he was when he saw it, of which he could give no account; as whether in or out of the body,
This is a low point in Paul's ministry. He is being forced to defend his authority and, in so doing, reveals things that occurred between himself and God that perhaps should have stayed private and personal.
Why?
Because, in his commitment to keep the Corinthian church from falling under the influence of false teachers, he is spending precious time and energy on himself rather that on the Gospel. That's why he says "boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable". In other words, there wasn't a chance anybody would become "born-again" by hearing Paul's defense of his authority.
What a waste...
I can't help wondering how many churches have drifted from their moorings because they got distracted by the cult of personality and lost sight of the Gospel. In truth, those churches are all around us. They surely had a faithful leader some time back but they traded him in for one who would tell them what they wanted to hear.
Paul wasn't going to let this happen in Corinth. He loved the church too much. I wonder...do we put our own pastors through this dilemma? Do we make demands on them that have little to do with the Gospel and much to do with our personal preferences?
One of two things is going to happen: He will waste his time defending himself with no profit or, he will leave for greener pastures. Either way, we lose. Let's be better than that.
Live boldly out there today...
March 17, 2016
2 Corinthians 11:1-6
"I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness; but indeed you are bearing with me. For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully. For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostle. But even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge; in fact, in every way we have made this evident to you in all things. ". 2 Corinthians 11:1-6
It seems the most fluent and articulate always get preference. I once hired somebody who was so polished and professional I paid less attention to the resume than I should have.
What a mistake...
The church was attempting to "rack and stack" the teachers who influenced them. They rated some higher than others and...Paul's standing was failing. For this reason Paul says "I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostle. But even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge; in fact, in every way we have made this evident to you in all things. ".
Paul's resume was lacking nothing. He was equal in standing to the most eminent apostles...even if he was not as fluent (in his own thinking). This is a lesson to us. We shouldn't choose to follow preachers and teachers simply because of their eloquence. That eloquence is likely to lead us astray if it derives from human effort. Let's take an honest look at our pastor today. Are we criticizing him for things that are less important (preaching style or proficiency)? Are we paying less attention to the content of his message which may be faithfully biblical?
Shame on us...let's redouble our commitment to supporting the Godly leaders that we have been given.
Live boldly out there today...
It seems the most fluent and articulate always get preference. I once hired somebody who was so polished and professional I paid less attention to the resume than I should have.
What a mistake...
The church was attempting to "rack and stack" the teachers who influenced them. They rated some higher than others and...Paul's standing was failing. For this reason Paul says "I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostle. But even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge; in fact, in every way we have made this evident to you in all things. ".
Paul's resume was lacking nothing. He was equal in standing to the most eminent apostles...even if he was not as fluent (in his own thinking). This is a lesson to us. We shouldn't choose to follow preachers and teachers simply because of their eloquence. That eloquence is likely to lead us astray if it derives from human effort. Let's take an honest look at our pastor today. Are we criticizing him for things that are less important (preaching style or proficiency)? Are we paying less attention to the content of his message which may be faithfully biblical?
Shame on us...let's redouble our commitment to supporting the Godly leaders that we have been given.
Live boldly out there today...
March 16, 2016
2 Corinthians 10:1-18
"Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent! I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.
You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we. For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame, for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters. For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.” Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present. For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you. For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ; not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you, so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another. But HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD. For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends". 2 Corinthians 10:1-18
First...shoot the messenger...
There were Judaists at work in Corinth, impugning Paul's authority and corrupting his Gospel. Judaists believed that one must first become a Jew before they could become a Christian. Of course, this is antithetical to the Gospel. There was...at least a minority of the Church under their influence; there were also large numbers living, apparently, in the grossest sins (2 Corinthians 12:20 ) there was something approaching spiritual anarchy. The one resource the Apostle has with which to encounter this situation is his apostolic authority so he addresses it.
And...the primary complaint against him was odd: "He's such a nice guy when he's here but, when he writes to us he's so bossy!" As though this would be sufficient reason to dismiss his authority.
It's common for us to dismiss the authority of anybody whose words we disapprove. Paul reminds us there is more to it than that. We can't simply agree with what we like and disagree with what we don't like. We have to consider the person and position of the messenger. Paul says "I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave." Paul was a person sent by God, Himself. Moreover, he says "though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses". In other words...they weren't quarreling with Paul, they were quarreling with God.
High probability of failure...
So, next time we feel ourselves reacting negatively to something we hear...particularly moral and spiritual challenges...we should pause, consider who is speaking and by whose authority. We may learn something and avoid embarrassing ourselves.
Live boldly out there today...
You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we. For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame, for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters. For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.” Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present. For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you. For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ; not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you, so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another. But HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD. For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends". 2 Corinthians 10:1-18
First...shoot the messenger...
There were Judaists at work in Corinth, impugning Paul's authority and corrupting his Gospel. Judaists believed that one must first become a Jew before they could become a Christian. Of course, this is antithetical to the Gospel. There was...at least a minority of the Church under their influence; there were also large numbers living, apparently, in the grossest sins (2 Corinthians 12:20 ) there was something approaching spiritual anarchy. The one resource the Apostle has with which to encounter this situation is his apostolic authority so he addresses it.
And...the primary complaint against him was odd: "He's such a nice guy when he's here but, when he writes to us he's so bossy!" As though this would be sufficient reason to dismiss his authority.
It's common for us to dismiss the authority of anybody whose words we disapprove. Paul reminds us there is more to it than that. We can't simply agree with what we like and disagree with what we don't like. We have to consider the person and position of the messenger. Paul says "I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave." Paul was a person sent by God, Himself. Moreover, he says "though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses". In other words...they weren't quarreling with Paul, they were quarreling with God.
High probability of failure...
So, next time we feel ourselves reacting negatively to something we hear...particularly moral and spiritual challenges...we should pause, consider who is speaking and by whose authority. We may learn something and avoid embarrassing ourselves.
Live boldly out there today...
March 15, 2016
2 Corinthians 9:1-15
"Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;
as it is written, “HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER.”Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:1-15
We've heard the term "tithes and offerings"...
Our "tithe" (tenth) is the portion of our resources that God expects us to contribute toward the ongoing expenses of the congregation. Our "offering" is any additional amount beyond that tithe which we contribute toward the welfare of those in need.
Paul has decided to send Titus to the Corinthian Church to collect a benevolent offering. In so doing, he reminds the church of important principles in giving.
1. Give generously
2. Give thoughtfully
2. Give cheerfully
Generosity is an important principle because in the previous chapter we were reminded not to give more than we have. So, we need to be thoughtful regarding how much we can contribute. This is more than our "tithe" but less that whatever would put us into debt. Moreover, when we are asked for our offering, we are not supposed to deduct that amount from our tithe.
Which means, the offering amount over which we are deliberating is the amount in excess of our expected tithes. Each Christian is challenged to be thoughtful about this and it makes sense. After all, for most of us, we work a "tithe" into our budget so anything beyond that eats into our ability to pay bills. So...what might we do without?
Starbucks?
Of course it is counterintuitive that we would grumble over the loss of Starbucks this month when the sacrifice is intended help someone who cannot even afford Folgers. Therefore, when we give up our own coffee we do it cheerfully because we are, in essence, "paying it forward".
Finally, Paul reminds us the "hole in our budget" created by our generosity will not remain. The God we serve will replace that deficit and often increase it. This got me thinking...When we watch God replace the offering we contributed it's a very instructive thing. When we offer $100 to support a soup kitchen and we observe God returning (in some form) an amount worth $125, the excess is not for us. This is God demonstrating He wants us to increase our generosity by $25.
Now the fun begins. We "up the ante" and see what God does next. If He returns even more, we increase it again. I'm curious...how much can we get God to give?
Live boldly out there today...
as it is written, “HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER.”Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:1-15
We've heard the term "tithes and offerings"...
Our "tithe" (tenth) is the portion of our resources that God expects us to contribute toward the ongoing expenses of the congregation. Our "offering" is any additional amount beyond that tithe which we contribute toward the welfare of those in need.
Paul has decided to send Titus to the Corinthian Church to collect a benevolent offering. In so doing, he reminds the church of important principles in giving.
1. Give generously
2. Give thoughtfully
2. Give cheerfully
Generosity is an important principle because in the previous chapter we were reminded not to give more than we have. So, we need to be thoughtful regarding how much we can contribute. This is more than our "tithe" but less that whatever would put us into debt. Moreover, when we are asked for our offering, we are not supposed to deduct that amount from our tithe.
Which means, the offering amount over which we are deliberating is the amount in excess of our expected tithes. Each Christian is challenged to be thoughtful about this and it makes sense. After all, for most of us, we work a "tithe" into our budget so anything beyond that eats into our ability to pay bills. So...what might we do without?
Starbucks?
Of course it is counterintuitive that we would grumble over the loss of Starbucks this month when the sacrifice is intended help someone who cannot even afford Folgers. Therefore, when we give up our own coffee we do it cheerfully because we are, in essence, "paying it forward".
Finally, Paul reminds us the "hole in our budget" created by our generosity will not remain. The God we serve will replace that deficit and often increase it. This got me thinking...When we watch God replace the offering we contributed it's a very instructive thing. When we offer $100 to support a soup kitchen and we observe God returning (in some form) an amount worth $125, the excess is not for us. This is God demonstrating He wants us to increase our generosity by $25.
Now the fun begins. We "up the ante" and see what God does next. If He returns even more, we increase it again. I'm curious...how much can we get God to give?
Live boldly out there today...
March 14, 2016
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
"But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also. I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality— at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality; as it is written, “HE WHO gathered MUCH DID NOT HAVE TOO MUCH, AND HE WHO gathered LITTLE HAD NO LACK.” 2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Well...Paul was a socialist...sort of...
In continuing his discussion on benevolence Paul lays down some important guidelines...
1. It is not a command, but it is proof of the sincerity of our love for the Body of Christ.
2. It models the sacrificial offering that Christ gave on our behalf (Philippians 2)
3. We are not expected to give what we do not have.
4. Benevolence is intended to create some sense of equality in the Body of Christ.
Allow me to suggest Paul does not intend that all church members be financially equal. He suggests we help each other to the degree that we will all have enough to help each other. He also repudiates the notion of "seed faith" giving that has become popular in some churches...giving more than we have so God will multiply (for us) what we just gave. That's merely selfish.
Finally...and most important...Philippians, chapter two, says "therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men".
This leaves only one question...if that same Jesus lives in us, don't we imagine He is still as generous as He was then?
Live boldly out there today...
Well...Paul was a socialist...sort of...
In continuing his discussion on benevolence Paul lays down some important guidelines...
1. It is not a command, but it is proof of the sincerity of our love for the Body of Christ.
2. It models the sacrificial offering that Christ gave on our behalf (Philippians 2)
3. We are not expected to give what we do not have.
4. Benevolence is intended to create some sense of equality in the Body of Christ.
Allow me to suggest Paul does not intend that all church members be financially equal. He suggests we help each other to the degree that we will all have enough to help each other. He also repudiates the notion of "seed faith" giving that has become popular in some churches...giving more than we have so God will multiply (for us) what we just gave. That's merely selfish.
Finally...and most important...Philippians, chapter two, says "therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men".
This leaves only one question...if that same Jesus lives in us, don't we imagine He is still as generous as He was then?
Live boldly out there today...
March 13, 2016
2 Corinthians 8:1-6
Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well. 2 Corinthians 8:1-6
Throughout the history of the church, benevolence has been a hallmark. Almost to the point it has become a confirmation of salvation. At the very least, our generosity indicates an understanding that our worldly possessions are not our own but...belong to God.
Brian Yeager (wordsoftruth.net) provides some insight here. He says most brethren will agree that the local church has a role in helping those in physical need. The disagreement comes to whom the church should help when there are physical needs. The church takes a collection every first day of the week (I Corinthians 16:1-2). This is the only way the local church has authority to get funds. With that money it can do it’s own local work. The Bible gives us a clear pattern of who the local church helped in it’s work in the 1st Century. We can tell that the church of Christ in the 1st Century aided saints in need. We can know that because the Bible shows us that (Acts 2:44-45, Romans 15:25-27, I Corinthians 16:1-4, II Corinthians 8:4, 9:1; 12, and I Timothy 5:3-16).
Yeager continues...what we do not find is an example, command, or inference showing the non-saints were aided in benevolent needs by the local church. It should also be pointed out that when the church aided saints in need, those saints were truly in need. It was not the paying of an electric bill because the saint had to choose to pay the electric bill or the car payment and the electric was going to be shut off. Saints in need were those who were poverty stricken. Maybe that is something for all of us to consider when we look at helping saints in need. Brother so and so comes to the church and says he needs food. So, the church cuts him a check for $200.00, then he goes out in his two year old Lincoln Town Car. It is not the role of the church to provide for one’s family that is the role of the head of the household (I Timothy 5:8).
The church has been overwhelmingly generous through history...almost to the point of being indiscriminating. But, I don't suggest we never help those outside the church. I suggest we follow the Biblical pattern that Jesus, Himself, set: "First Judea, then Samaria, and then the rest of the earth".
Benevolence begins at home...
One sure result...if we follow the Biblical pattern of benevolence, our churches will be filled to capacity!
Live boldly out there today...
Throughout the history of the church, benevolence has been a hallmark. Almost to the point it has become a confirmation of salvation. At the very least, our generosity indicates an understanding that our worldly possessions are not our own but...belong to God.
Brian Yeager (wordsoftruth.net) provides some insight here. He says most brethren will agree that the local church has a role in helping those in physical need. The disagreement comes to whom the church should help when there are physical needs. The church takes a collection every first day of the week (I Corinthians 16:1-2). This is the only way the local church has authority to get funds. With that money it can do it’s own local work. The Bible gives us a clear pattern of who the local church helped in it’s work in the 1st Century. We can tell that the church of Christ in the 1st Century aided saints in need. We can know that because the Bible shows us that (Acts 2:44-45, Romans 15:25-27, I Corinthians 16:1-4, II Corinthians 8:4, 9:1; 12, and I Timothy 5:3-16).
Yeager continues...what we do not find is an example, command, or inference showing the non-saints were aided in benevolent needs by the local church. It should also be pointed out that when the church aided saints in need, those saints were truly in need. It was not the paying of an electric bill because the saint had to choose to pay the electric bill or the car payment and the electric was going to be shut off. Saints in need were those who were poverty stricken. Maybe that is something for all of us to consider when we look at helping saints in need. Brother so and so comes to the church and says he needs food. So, the church cuts him a check for $200.00, then he goes out in his two year old Lincoln Town Car. It is not the role of the church to provide for one’s family that is the role of the head of the household (I Timothy 5:8).
The church has been overwhelmingly generous through history...almost to the point of being indiscriminating. But, I don't suggest we never help those outside the church. I suggest we follow the Biblical pattern that Jesus, Himself, set: "First Judea, then Samaria, and then the rest of the earth".
Benevolence begins at home...
One sure result...if we follow the Biblical pattern of benevolence, our churches will be filled to capacity!
Live boldly out there today...
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