Benevolence by the Church & Individuals

Introduction

We are here to worship him this morning and to learn more about his will for our lives. A lot of times, as we are living our life, there are some very basic principles that guide and govern our lives. We understand as Christians that both as a boss and perhaps as an employee of a boss, there are certain standards of ethical guidance that we live under. We should be honest. We should be, for the word that we use, ethical, that is trustworthy, that is true, hardworking, laboring as if we were laboring for the Lord. Because that is, of course, what we are doing. However, when you leave some of the more basic instructions of scripture and we examine elements that we are less familiar with, sometimes the water can get a little bit muddy.

For example, when it comes to church authority, we see very clearly that in the New Testament there was an initiative to have elders in every church. And we understand then that elders, as defined by qualifications in 1 Timothy chapter 3 and Titus 1, are to fit a certain bill. They are to have certain qualifications or characteristics. And that is clear. However, have you ever considered what are they supposed to do? How do they decide where money goes? And if I put my money in the collection plate, where does that go? And perhaps even this one. Would it not be better spent if I saved it myself and help someone from my own pocket? Well, consider the thoughts this morning of benevolence. It’s helping those who are in need.

And what we need to see is that the church and the individual are separate. When this church says, as it did on February 8th, I believe that we were supporting 13 men in the fields of evangelism. What does that mean? Does that mean that this church building gathered up by itself, all the money that was left in the pews, and we and it put postage on a stamp and it shipped it to some men somewhere? Well, no, that’s not it at all. We understand that the money that this church sent was that which was collected by the saints. It was all of us who are Christians giving together and sending money to help the gospel be spread in other places. And we understand that that is a work of the church.

1. A Difference in the Church and the Individual

We also understand from passages like in Ephesians chapter 4 that the church is charged with edification, a building up of its members, teaching. And that shouldn’t surprise us that the church, a spiritual house, is charged with a spiritual mission. However, just because we as a collective form the church and can do certain things does not mean that the church can do everything that the individual can. And most of us in this room understand that, but I want to go through one, how we reach that conclusion, and two, some necessary conclusions from that idea. First of all, I want to note that there is a difference in the church and the individual, and we can see that because individuals have different roles. Look at me in 1 Timothy chapter 5.

1 Timothy chapter 5 is perhaps the best example of a line being drawn between that which is an individual’s work and that which is the church’s work.

She who is truly a widow left all alone, has set her hope on God, and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. But she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. Note verse 8. But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. And in verse 9, let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, and so on. We see, let a widow not be enrolled unless she meets these qualifications. Now, we understand the concept of this in verse 3. We’re trying to honor widows, we’re trying to help those who are in need.

This is a church function. In verse 4, it said, If a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household, and to make some return to their parents. I haven’t been a parent yet, but I have been a child, and I think there isn’t an amount of years I could serve my parents to repay them for all both the trouble I’ve caused and the good they’ve done for me in my life. But we see a standard set forth there by the Scriptures. But we work our way down to verse 16, you see the crux of the matter for our discussion this morning. If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Okay, so take this picture with me.

If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, if you have a relative who is a widow, let her care for them. Why? Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows. You say, Well, Greg, I don’t understand this. I thought 1 Timothy chapter five in this context was about the church caring for widows, and that’s absolutely right. If you look at verse 16, it doesn’t say let the church not be burdened, this isn’t their job. Let the church not be burdened, so that it can help widows indeed. The concept is that the church is to help those who cannot otherwise be helped by relatives or by family members. But what does that mean for us? That there is a distinction between that which is the individual’s work, that is, if you are a relative of someone in need, or you are in the household of someone who needs help, you are to care for them.

That is a biblically handed down mandate. And likewise, if there is a widow who fits these qualifications from this text, including those verses with which we did not read, if there is no relative, if there is no one to care for them, then the church is in a sense to be burdened with helping that person. This is not a negative term of burden, it is simply a point that says, this is a work that the church should undergo. And we understand then from basic common sense, I just put up one point on there in Ephesians chapter 6, that just because the individual can do it doesn’t mean the church can do it. For example, raising kids.

Although I would appreciate it if various men in this congregation didn’t provoke me to anger when I was growing up. That is not the point of the text. Likewise, I am married. Everyone who’s in the household of faith does not share spouses. There’s a difference between the individual and the whole. Look in 1 Corinthians chapter 12. If these things were interchangeable, if collective action and individual action were synonymous, Paul’s reference here in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 would make absolutely no sense. In 1 Corinthians chapter 12, pick up the reading with me in verse 12. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one spirit we were all baptized into one body.

Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, and all were made to drink of one Spirit. Note verse 14 and the illustration drawn in 15. For the body does not consist of one member, but of many. The body is not one member, it consists of many members. A difference between that which is a part and that which is a whole. But note the illustration in verse 15. If the foot should say, Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body, that would not make it any less a part of the body. Now, someone out here, whether you like it or not, in this congregation is a foot. And if you’re not, we might need you to be a foot. I could go there and go places about needing some sort of spray because it smells bad, but I won’t.

Consider that. If a foot should say, because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body, that would not make it any less a part of the body. Well, what is that establish? Well, that establishes that there are both feet and hands in the body. Now your foot is not a hand. I don’t know how to be much clearer than that. And you see that our body parts work together to form the human body. But my foot is not my body, the entirety of my physical parts is my body. And so as we go on, Jesus’ teachings even draw a distinction. There are various teachings throughout the New Testament that mandate a difference between collective and individual action. One such example is found in Matthew chapter 18.

Note the three different groups identified here. In Matthew chapter 18, everyone’s favorite passage begins like this. If your brother sins against you, so we like that one. Matthew chapter 18 and verse 15. If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. So let’s paint this picture. Someone has wronged you. They’re supposed to come up to you and tell you I’m sorry, right? Well, perhaps. But what is this text saying? Where is Jesus commanding? If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault. So by the way, when we think that we’ve been wronged, whose responsibility is it to go? You could say both, but that includes those who were wronged. Between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.

There is the point of this reconciliation effort. You tell someone that they have wronged you to try to work it out, to gain your brother. So this is a private meeting. Do we see that? Nod your heads, yes. Did we do it? I’ll see that. I’ll go over it again. Nod your heads, yes, all right. So in verse 16, but if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. And now we’re attracting a crowd. We’re going to a group. If the one on one does not work, bring witnesses with you. Now the room is not just you and another person. It is you, another person, and two or three witnesses.

Again, what is the purpose of that? That every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. Hearsay has been eliminated from the equation here. Now note verse 17. If he refuses to listen to them, that is the group, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. And so we see three different stages that identify three different groups. And again, someone who’s thinking should see these things. However, it’s not necessarily understanding that there’s a difference between individual and church action that is the problem. It is the implications of that understanding that create difficulties for us sometimes. So stay with me just a moment longer.

2. The Role of the Individual: How Much Should I Give?

When your brother has sins against sinned against you, you are to go with them alone. That is relatively a one-on-one meeting, depending upon the circumstance. If that does not work, you go with a small group, as we might designate it. If that does not work, then you go to the church. What does that mean? That means the church is not the small group, is not the individual. Three different classifications, and that teaching would not make sense if the church was each and every one of those categories of people. So as we move forward, let’s look at the role of the individual. On my opening slide, I mentioned in benevolence. I think many of us know and could probably recite that the purposes of the church are edification, evangelism, and benevolence.

But I mentioned there’s kind of a sticky point in our understanding of the difference between individual and church or collective action. And it comes into how we use our funds. But let’s start with the individual here. Where does this money come from? Well, for lack of a better term, this money comes from income sources. I don’t know what your particularly particular income source is. It is probably a job, but there are many other ways in this particular country to make an income. That is to have money coming into you, the individual. Basic? Yes. Follow me, please. How much should I give, though? What am I charged with as an individual? Here’s the sticking point of the lesson. Oftentimes we go back, we say, what am I supposed to do with these people on the side of the road?

What am I supposed to do when I don’t have that much money left? What am I supposed to give? What am I supposed to do? What is God’s plan for me and my money? Let’s look at 1 John chapter 3 and verse 17.

In 1 John chapter 3 and verse 17, see if you can find a clear pattern in this with me. In 1 John chapter 3 and verse 17, but if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Now again, I’m not after the group that we are giving to yet. Just how much should I give? Look at verse 17 again with me, and we’re going to stop a couple times. But if anyone has the world’s goods, there’s a qualifier. If you have the world’s goods, if you have ability, let’s keep reading, and sees his brother in need. That is opportunity. If you have the ability and the opportunity, if you have the world’s goods and see your brother in need, then what, verse 17?

Yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Obviously, then to show that God’s love is abiding in us, we would give if we had the ability and the opportunity. And so a way for you to remember this might be that your ability plus the opportunity is your responsibility. If you have it and you see a use for it, we should be doing that. Now, an important implication of this lesson is who is to help people? Because there are plenty of people in this world to help, Christian and non-Christian alike. And oftentimes we think the church isn’t doing enough. The church isn’t doing enough. We’re going to get to that point in a moment. But consider as individuals, this is our charge to help those that we see.

And note that opportunity about seeing your brother in need, that is not an excuse, and we are not hiding or fooling God if we walk around pretending to be blind. We need to open our eyes, brothers and sisters. It doesn’t do good to sit in our home and make sure we don’t see any good so that we can keep our bank accounts in our account and in our name. That is not why we were given money on this earth. It was not given to make us feel good or so that we could retire comfortably. I’m not against either of those things. We are stewards of what God has given us. That includes money. And that includes that God’s plan is for us as individuals and us as a collective to help others out.

3. Who Should I Give To?

So we need to view our goods that way. But consider then we’ve established how much we should give. But who should I give to? Well, scriptures give several different explanations. You remember in 1 Timothy chapter 5, we’re to give to our family. We are to support those of our household. We don’t look at that passage again, but look at this one with me in James chapter 1 and verse 27. In James chapter 1 and verse 27.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father is this to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world. That’s pretty powerful, isn’t it? Look at verse 27. Pure and undefiled religion is this? How have you been acting as a Christian? Have you been following pure and undefiled religion? Or do we need to get on that a little bit better? To visit orphans and widows in their affliction. That doesn’t mean the rest of the Bible doesn’t count, but it certainly does mean that this does. And that this is important in the sight of God. But consider then our question of church and individual action. Is there a difference here? Well, each of us, I want to see the heads go down as we look in our Bibles.

Let’s note, who is this to? An individual or a church? Alright, look down with me. I’m looking down a little bit, so I can’t quite see you. But verse 26, I’m going to trust you. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Did you get that that was singular? Verse 27. A religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father is this, to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world. This is to an individual. It makes no sense to apply verse 26, which is clearly to the individual. In the end of verse 27, keeping oneself unstained from the world, which is unquestionably singular, and then make the middle portion of that verse collective.

That is not good contextual study, brothers and sisters. This is to the individual. And what that means is that is my responsibility. If you look around and you see widows and orphans that are in need, it is not the church’s fault. It is mine. It is yours. Yes, it is very important that we understand that this verse applies to the individual, not to the church. But we don’t just take that and say, you know what? I’m glad my church doesn’t misunderstand James chapter 1 and verse 27. That’s a relief. Whoo. That means we have a responsibility. Every single thing that we outline that is not the church’s responsibility, but it’s the individual’s, means we better pick up the slack. We better do our job. It’s not about being right, it’s about doing what is right to serve God.

Consider another group. Anyone who is in need. In Luke chapter 10, many of you are familiar with this passage. Look with me in Luke chapter 10. Luke chapter 10, beginning in verse 25. And behold, a lawyer stood up and put him to the test, saying, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And he answered, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. And he said to him, You have answered correctly, do this and you will live. So this lawyer knew the answer. But note verse 29. But he desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor? And this, of course, brings the story of the Good Samaritan.

But note the context of this was a lawyer seeking to justify himself by asking, Who is my neighbor? This lawyer had just identified what it meant to please God. That was found in verse 27. Jesus said he answered rightly. It was, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. So we can say, Who am I to give to? Who am I to help? It is my neighbor. Well, conveniently, the scriptures give us an answer of who is my neighbor. And you know the story of the good Samaritan was that the evil, the villain of the story, the Samaritan, is the one who stopped when he saw the man on the side of the road.

He was the man who helped the victim. Helped the man in need. Everyone is our neighbor. It doesn’t matter whether they vote like we do, or even go to church where we do, or even live where they do. We are to help anyone in need. That is a commandment that we are to follow. Unless, of course, you wish to say that we do not, we are not charged with loving our neighbor, which I wouldn’t have you consult John chapter 13. Want to talk about a warning here, though. Look with me in Matthew chapter 25. In Matthew chapter 25. If you take away something from this lesson, note this passage. Matthew chapter 25 and verse 31 When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.

Before it will be gathered all nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you?

Or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you, a stranger, and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you? And the king will answer them, truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers. You did it to me. And we see from verse 41 on that those who were told to depart into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels were those who did not help Jesus. And their question was the same as those who had done what is right. When did what? When was that opportunity? When was that? I didn’t see it. It doesn’t do us any good, brother.

4. The Role of the Church

It’s just to go around blind. There is opportunity to help out there. We are to look for it. Christians are to be lights into the world not only in conduct, but with our money as well. Whether we agree or disagree with that does not change the will of God. And if there is help to be had out there, Christians should be at the front lines supporting it. And that includes as individuals and not cowering behind the church and what the church does. Speaking of the church, let’s look at the role of the church as we go on to conclude this. Where does this money come from? I kind of awkwardly stated that money from the individual comes from, well, various income sources. But we do have a clear source in scripture of where the biblical concept of the church draws its money from.

In 1 Corinthians chapter 16, beginning in verse 1. Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed to the churches of Galatia, so you are, so you also are to do. Please note the very specific wording of this text with me, though. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up as he may prosper, so there will be no collecting when I come. Every week. Not every two weeks, not every four weeks, not every eight weeks, not every millennium, every week. We got that. Every week. Verse 3. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.

So where does this money come from? It comes from the church. Well, now we have another question. How much should I give? Since we are talking about collective action, church action, the church’s treasury, the collective saints’ treasury. How much should I give? Look at 2 Corinthians chapter 9. 2 Corinthians chapter 9, beginning in verse 6. The point is this whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. Whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Now I want to get to a point here. If we are clear and we understand the common sense idea that the collective action and individual action is not the same, we need to see that the scriptures do have a role for both parts.

Individuals have a role, the church has a role with their money towards benevolence. But what does that mean further? They must be funded. The church needs money to follow the collective activities of the church. The individual needs to use their money in a way to glorify God. We can’t give up one for the other. We need to do them both. Christians must give individually and give as a part of the church. Otherwise, passages like 1 Corinthians chapter 16 make no sense. Otherwise, the work of the church is limited. We have both qualifications to meet. And so we see that we are to give bountifully. Well, why? Can I give you a couple reasons of why we should give bountifully? Verse 6 gives one of them. Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

We’re going to reap what we sow, but consider verse 7. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. But note verse 8 with me. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times you may abound in every good work. Consider what God has done for you in your life. Think about your place of living, your car. Whether it’s nice or not, you have it. Whether it’s a bicycle, a bus pass, whatever you have, the clothes you’re wearing. God has blessed us so richly, we don’t even see it. This is beside the point that God demonstrated his own love towards us.

And that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Just an interesting thought. In the Old Testament, we’re familiar with the concept of tithing. We’re under a new covenant with better promises. We have the Savior. What should God’s people this side of the cross be dedicating to him? Just a thought. As we move forward, who does the church give to? I’m not compiling an exhaustive list. I’m just giving you two basic points that encompass what the church is to do. Needy saints within and needy saints abroad. Look at me in Romans chapter 15. I want to look at the needy saints abroad. Concept. In Romans chapter 15.

Know with me in verse 25. Paul’s writing, of course, at present, however, I am going to Jerusalem, bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaea have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem, for they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.

Conclusion

I want to look at Galatians chapter six, as we conclude this morning. In Galatians chapter six. Note with me beginning in verse 1. Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you two be tempted. We’re going to do that same thing. I won’t be quite as annoying with it, but we’re going to look at who is this to, an individual or a collective. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor, for each will have to bear his own load.

Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap from the flesh, will from the flesh reap corruption, excuse me. But the one who sows to the spirit will from the spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up. So then as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Who is this to? Individual Christians. What are we supposed to do in verse 10?

As we have opportunity. Remember, ability plus opportunity equals responsibility. Let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Who are we to help? Especially those of the household of faith. We’re to help each other, brothers and sisters. We’re to treat each other as the brothers and sisters that we so easily claim with our tongues. We say brother, and then we don’t necessarily help out our brother and sister. If you’ve ever had a brother or sister, even a mom or a dad or a close friend, you know what it’s like to love someone. You know what it’s like to give everything to help someone, to stop on a dime because someone needs you. We are to do good, especially to those of the household of faith, but note before that to everyone.

We have a responsibility. If we look out and we say, there are people who need help, where are the churches? I’m going to ask you where are you? Where am I? When people in this world, especially those of the household of faith, are in need.