Series: Fundamental Lessons on the Church. Lesson Seven,

 

The Local Church And Benevolence

 

By Bob W. Lovelace

 

Dear reader we concluded our last lesson, "The Autonomy of the Local Church" by stating that God's pattern in the New Testament for the government of His church through the organization of the local church is plain enough. Consider the following points from this restatement from Lesson Six.

 

Restatement from Lesson Six:

 

Question: What do elders oversee?

           

Dear reader they watch for the souls and oversee all of the work of the local church. That's their function as bishops or overseers (*For specific definitions of elder, bishop, shepherd, pastor, presbyters see Lesson Four). The relationship of the members to their own elders is stated in Hebrews 13:17, "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." Elders labor among the members; they will have to admonish members who need it. (I Thes. 5:12). No member is exempt from the duty of submitting to the oversight of the elders of the church. They oversee by the authority of the word, the New Testament. Elders are men who know the word and properly apply it (Titus 1:9). Look above now at the chart above, "The Local Church and its Work." Right there are the things elders oversee. There is simply nothing about the church that does not fall under their oversight. Here are the things that they oversee that they do not delegate to the elders of another church!

 

Elders oversee:

 

1. The acceptance process of those desiring to place membership with and work with the church (Acts 9:26-28).

 

2. The treasury of the church (Acts 4:34-37; I Cor. 16:1-3).

 

3. The work of edification through worship, teaching, preaching and the discipline of unruly members (I Cor. 14:26; Acts 20:7; Eph. 5:19-21; Col. 3:16; I Cor. 5; I Th. 5:14; 2 Th. 3:6, 14). 

 

4. The support of evangelists at home and abroad (I Thes. 1:8; Phil. 4:15; I Cor. 9:14; 2 Cor. 11:8).

 

5. The work of benevolence to needy saints, both members and elsewhere (Acts 4:34-35; Acts 6:1-6; Acts 11:27-30; I Cor. 16:1-3; 2 Cor. 8-9; Rom. 15:26-27).

 

Going forward now. We noted above in point "5." that elders oversee the work of benevolence to needy saints, both members and elsewhere. Here are the scriptures in the New Testament that deal with the singular work of "benevolence." 

 

Scriptures showing the work of the church in benevolence:

 

A. The local church caring for its own members,

 

                        1. The church at Jerusalem "distributed to each, as anyone had need" (Acts 4:34-37).

2. Benevolence is referred to as the "business" of the church. Seven men were appointed to ensure a proper distribution with regard to this "business" (Acts 6:1-6).

 

B. One church sending benevolence to other churches,

                  

1. Antioch sends relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea (Acts 11:27-30).

a. This "relief" was not an ongoing sustained contribution; it was sent because of the particular circumstances involving the famine at that time. 

                       

C. Several churches concurrently but individually sending their own benevolence to another local church,                       

 

1. The churches of Galatia and the church at Corinth were given orders for sending their individual contributions to the needy saints in Jerusalem (I Cor. 16:1-4; also 2 Cor. 8, 9; Rom. 15:25-28).

2. The churches of Macedonia sent their contributions, each individually, thus joining in the "fellowship of ministering to the saints" in Jerusalem (2 Cor. 8:1-5; Rom. 15:26).

           

Note: This "gift" was not an ongoing contribution. It was a one-time contribution sent to the needy saints in Jerusalem.  

                                     

                        

The Patterns for each of the above,

 

"A" The Local Church caring for its own members (Acts 4:34-37; 6:1-6)

 

Dear reader we have stated before in these studies that the contribution for the work of the church at Jerusalem came from among its own members. Here is a restatement from Lesson Four, Part One:

 

Liberality among members,

 

The number that made up the church multiplied quickly day by day (Acts 2:47). Before long just the number of the men alone came to be about five thousand (Acts 4:4). Luke tells us that "believers were increasingly added to the Lord" through baptism (Acts 2:41, 5:14). Moreover, their generosity is seen in their selling some of their property and giving so that those among them in need might be cared for. The money given was brought and "laid at the apostles' feet," thus pointing to the apostles' oversight at the very beginning. Luke's description as a result of this growth was, "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. [33] And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. [34] Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, [35] And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. [36] And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, [37] Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet" (Acts 4:32-37).

 

The simple pattern for the church receiving funds to do its work is established at the very beginning of the church. The members "themselves" gave into a common treasury so that the Jerusalem church could do its work. Notice that they did not go out and ask or expect the community to "donate" to their church. They did not take the money and put it to the money-changers to gain interest thus increasing their holdings, although we know that such was possible even then (Matt. 25:27). Nor did they bank or invest money, or put it into businesses owned and ran by the church to bring in gain. Though the Apostles performed great miracles God did not enable them to miraculously just make money! Why? Because God wants His people to give as He commands them in His word.

 

"B" One church sending benevolence to other churches (Acts 11:27-30),

                  

            When Antioch sent relief to the brethren in Judea they sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Paul. "Judea" is a region (Acts 1:8; 2:9; 8:1; 9:31; 11:1; I Thes. 2:14). Jesus had foretold that the Gospel would begin in Jerusalem and then go forth. He said to the apostles before His ascension, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).  There were many churches of Christ in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria by the time of Saul's conversion (Acts 9:31). The contribution was delivered to the elders of the various churches in Judea. Elders are "local" (local church oversight only) not "district," "regional," "national," or "universal" overseers! (Acts 14:23; I Peter 5:2). It is the elders who have charge of the work of the church and they would see that proper distribution was made to the members of their church. This is in keeping with their oversight and local church autonomy as discussed in Lesson Six.

 

"C" Several churches concurrently but independently sending their own benevolence to another  church,

           

1. The churches of Galatia and the church at Corinth were given orders for sending their individual contributions to the needy saints in Jerusalem (I Cor. 16:1-4; also 2 Cor. 8, 9; Rom. 15:25-28).

 

2. The churches of Macedonia sent their contributions thus joining in the "fellowship of ministering to the saints" in Jerusalem (2 Cor. 8:1-5; 2 Cor. 9:1-4; Rom. 15:26). 

 

           

             Paul referred to Corinth's contributing to the needy saints in Jerusalem as "your" liberality. Hear Paul, "And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem" (I Cor. 16:3). The word "liberality" is translated "gift" in the NKJV. Dear reader, the gift was Corinth's. It is spoken of as the gift the church sent to the needy saints in Jerusalem (Cp. 2 Cor. 9:5, 13). The members of the church at Corinth did not go out and solicit the community so they could send a "generic" benevolent gift. In other words the gift was not made up of contributions from Christians and citizens of Corinth alike!  Each member of the church was to give into the collection as he had prospered (I Cor. 16:2). Where the money came from is part of the pattern to follow! Moreover the gift was from Christians to Christians in need. It was not from the church at Corinth to Christians and non-christians in Jerusalem. The pattern for local churches to follow in benevolence involves a contribution to "saints" in need. That is the pattern! The gift was a matter of "fellowship" among Christians (2 Cor. 8:4; 9:13). Paul expected Corinth to share with their brethren and to receive and help those involved with this distribution if need be (I Cor. 16:6, 11, 15-16; 2 Cor. 1:16; 2 Cor. 8:23-24; "and all" 2 Cor. 9:13). 

It was Corinth's duty to approve of the messengers who would convey their gift to Jerusalem. Hear Paul, "And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem" (I Cor. 16:3). The church made up the gift with its destination in mind! The recipients were to be needy saints in Jerusalem. There was no crossing over of autonomous lines with regard to the local churches and their oversight. Elders in the the New Testament having "local" oversight (local church oversight only) not district, regional, national or universal is the scriptural preventative of the Sponsoring Church arrangement! There is no Sponsoring Church arrangement in the N.T.! No "big church" ever designates itself as the "coordinator" of the project. No "big church" ever makes itself the recipient of all funds thus requiring the other churches to send funds to them should they desire to participate. The "gift" sent belonged to the local church sending it. And the church approved of its own messengers. Moreover the messengers were men not churches! (I Cor. 16:3; see 2 Cor. 8:23).

 

The gift was for the needy saints in Jerusalem,

 

                   1. 1 Cor. 16:1, "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye."

                        2.  1 Cor. 16:15, "I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)"

                        3. 2 Cor. 8:4, "Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints."

 

                        4. 2 Cor. 9:1, "For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:"

 

                        5. 2 Cor. 9:12, "For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;"

 

                        6. 2 Cor. 9:13, "Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection into the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;" (* men is an interpolation).

 

                        7. Romans 15:25-28, "But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. [26] For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. [27] It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. [28] When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain."

 

 

 

The gifts the churches sent STOPPED at Jerusalem,

 

           

See the pattern here for the church raising money and sending money (I Cor. 16:1-4),

 

1. Each church collected its own funds with its destination in mind (I Cor. 16:1-2).

 

2. Each church did so by getting its own money by contributions from its own members (I Cor. 16:2).

 

3. Each church selected its own messengers to convey its contribution to the church in need (I Cor. 16:3).

 

4. Each church sent directly to the church in need (I Cor. 16:3).

 

5. Each contribution stopped at the receiving church that was the church in need! (I Cor. 16:3; also Rom. 15:25)

 

 

Dear reader the gifts the churches sent stopped at Jerusalem. The local churches did "not" send to the Jerusalem church so it could coordinate a big benevolent work throughout Judea! The Holy Spirit made it very plain by inspiration that the contributions were for the poor saints that were at Jerusalem (Rom. 15:26). The entire amount given by the churches was distributed to the needy saints at Jerusalem. Now that's the pattern so let's all follow it! For the next study in this series, Lesson Eight, we will deal with "The Local Church And Evangelism."

 

            Questions to Answer Based Upon this Lesson if You so Desire, 

 

 

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