What Does The Bible Say About Giving?

Introduction

Good morning. Well, open your in your Bibles with me to 1 Timothy chapter 5. First Timothy, the fifth chapter. This is a special day the Lord has made, amen? Certainly this morning, perhaps even in relation to other Lord Lord’s Day mornings. This is a wonderful day for this congregation here at South Bumby. Lord willing, in just a few short hours, we will be appointing three new deacons. And certainly that will be a wonderful thing, something to be thankful for, as we add more men to the service of the Lord in a specific capacity as a special servant here in the work at South Bumby. But one of the works that we do that’s perhaps more intimidating to speak on, and perhaps a little challenging, is to consider how does this church do what it does?

How do we exist in a building with the lights on? How do we spread the word of God through evangelism? Well, that of course takes money, and so this morning I’d like to speak on the idea of what does the Bible say about my giving? And while we don’t talk about that a lot, the Bible certainly does. The Bible reveals a lot about giving. But I think I want to start with a few short principles here from 1 Timothy chapter 5 to frame the discussion on giving this morning. Will you read with me beginning in verse 3 of 1 Timothy chapter 5? Honor widows who are truly widows. But 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, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.

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. 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. Now mark verse 8 in your mind. 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 having a reputation for good works. If she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, has devoted herself to every good work.

But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. And as you see, you see a list that defines who is a widow indeed. Going back to verse 3, honor widows who are truly widows. And so we understand that the church is to help certain women who meet these qualifications. But note verse 16, and note three different principles you can grasp from this one verse that will help us in our study this morning. In 1 Timothy chapter 5 and verse 16, if any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.

The first thing that jumps out at you is, of course, the first part of verse 16. If you have relatives who are widows, if you have a believing woman who is a relative, who are you to help? That widow, that family member. Go back to verse 8. If anyone does not provide for his relative, and especially members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. You see from 1 Timothy chapter 5 and verse 16, we are to care for our family members. But you see a second really interesting part in there, and that’s let the church not be burdened. If you’ve ever had a study with someone and you’ve talked about what is the role of the church in giving, what are the works of the church with the treasury, you come up to an interesting point because relative to the rest of the world, the church here at South Bunby and other churches throughout the country are a little bit different, aren’t they?

In fact, if you were to ask Adam or Miss Marion and or I, you’d say, Well, what is the most common phone call you get at the church building? A lot of times it’s asking for money. Does this church have a fund set aside to help me because I need some financial assistance? So what does the Bible say about that? Well, in 1 Timothy chapter 5 and verse 16, we see an interesting point that there is a situation in which the church is to not be burdened. So if you’re studying with someone and you say, well, our church doesn’t provide for the needs of people who are not Christians, and someone says, Well, that doesn’t sound right. Consider the text here in verse 16. Not only is it let not the church be burdened, why, though?

So that it may care for those who are truly widows. There is a purpose to the church’s treasury. In this particular case, why not help those who are not truly widows? Not those who are Christians. Well, because the church has a responsibility to those who need help. Furthermore, why not help those who have relatives who could be taking care of them? Because the church is to not be burdened. Money can only be spent how many times? Once. That applies to our personal finances, that applies to our disposable income, and that certainly applies to the use of the church treasury. And you see a third point here is that the church is to help widows. Certainly that is key in this passage. So when you consider what does the Bible say about my giving, understand from the forefront that we have individual obligations like that in 1 Timothy 5 to our family members, and that the church likewise has obligations like those to like to those who are widows indeed.

But what about that middle ground? Who am I to help as an individual? Who am I to help from the church treasury? You see, it’s interesting, sometimes we say, Well, I’m giving to the work, and certainly we are, and we’ll study Philippians chapter 4 shortly this morning and examine how, yes, if we give, our church can bear fruit from the account given to the evangelists who are spreading the good news. But is that all there is to giving? Or perhaps that on the individual front, is that all there is? If you approached a gas station this morning and someone came up to you and asked for a couple dollars, does that mean that you no longer give to the collection plate? See, there’s a lot of interesting questions.

And here in Orlando, we face a certain interesting predicament very often. You have people who come up to your window, they’ll knock on the door and they’ll say, Do you have any money for me? It’s interesting. I want to study from that lens and from a church perspective. What does the Bible say about my giving? As a Christian, how am I to be both generous and prudent? How is the church to do the work of the Lord without overstepping scriptural bounds? But also help those who are in need if we’re to be the lights in the world that Jesus commands that we are to be. And so, first of all, you see that there are two distinct areas of giving, which, by the way, implies that we should be giving in two distinct areas as well.

1. How the Church Is to Use Its Funds

Turn with me to Romans chapter 15. I think we’re going to go through these relatively quickly. I think we understand the church’s role. But perhaps it’s good to see an example in Romans chapter 15. And we see in verse 25, in Romans chapter 15, beginning in verse 25. At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem, bringing aid to the saints. Verse 26, for Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. What has God’s people in Macedonia and Achaia done? They have allowed aid to be sent to their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem. It’s important that it’s noted at the end of verse 25. And at the end of verse 26, who were the recipients of this aid?

Saints. And by the way, verse 26 further defines the saints at Jerusalem. Who is it for? For the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. A careful study of the New Testament will reveal time and again. Church benevolence is for those who are in need. Now, when you consider what is need, that is that you do not have what you need to function. It is not what you want. It is not a result of having spent yourself into incredible amounts of debt. It is true need to continue on with life. We see certainly examples in Acts chapter 2, Acts chapter 4, Acts chapter 6. Time and again in the New Testament, Christians were sending to other Christians, and yes, we will study 2 Corinthians chapter 8 and chapter 9 in this morning’s lesson and see other examples of churches helping the saints at other congregations, even.

And we see certainly there are scriptural examples of the church doing just that. Certainly, though, we also see that the church’s role is in edification, and that would include putting money behind that effort. If you look quickly at Ephesians chapter 4. Note this in Ephesians chapter 4, beginning in verse 12, beginning in verse 11, excuse me, and he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry for building up the body of Christ. Well, why do that? Until we all attain the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we too may no longer be children.

Tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness and deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love. We are to grow up in every way into him who is the head into Christ, from whom the whole body, note this in verse 16, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped. When each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. And certainly, Ephesians chapter 4 lays the groundwork for a great lesson on church unity and how we should all do our part. We should all have our roles in the congregation, but by the way, that does apply to how we use our money. When you consider how does God care for the sick and the needy, how does God allow provisions for those who are in need in this life in a very physical, real way?

Is the answer that he drops down money from heaven? Is that the idea when Jesus says in Matthew chapter 6 and verse 33 that we’re to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you? These things being the daily concerns, the daily worries, being clothed, being fed, being taken care of physically. How does God provide for his people? Well, again, if you study the New Testament, you have to believe convicted that God has said for me and for you to help one another. We are God’s instruments for caring for one another. So, yes, in Ephesians chapter 4 and verse 16, when you see that we are joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when what happens?

Each part is working properly. If we’re going to be working properly, we have to be willing to help one another. And certainly that would apply to edification and in a broader sense. And of course, in evangelism, I think this is a key passage in Philippians chapter 4. Please join me in verse 14 of Philippians chapter 4. I know everyone’s down an hour of sleep, but we’re going to keep pressing on. Philippians chapter 4 and verse 14. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble, Paul writes. And you, Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica, you sent me for my help, my needs once and again.

Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment and more. I am well supplied. You think about how Paul writes in verse 17, I don’t seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. How did they receive a credit? From sending to Paul. What did they send to Paul? Provision for his needs. Paul was involved in teaching. Certainly, Paul was a fantastic evangelist serving as an apostle of Christ. And you see that in verse 17, it wasn’t that he was seeking after it, but he wanted the fruit that increases to their account. Now, what does that tell me today about my giving and the work here at the Church of Christ at South Bumby?

That tells me that when we supply support for evangelists across other continents and even in other states in the United States of America, that we are gaining fruit from that account. We are gaining a credit in the Lord. And that is a wonderful thing that we can share in the spreading of the gospel. Amen? We need to be convicted that that is what we are seeking to do. I am donating of what is mine, but of what is truly the Lord’s. So that the Lord will be glorified. So that the work of the Lord, not only in Orlando, Florida, but across the world will be spread and will grow, that the light of Christians will shine across the globe. And certainly we see those are three examples of how the church is to be using its funds.

2. Giving as an Individual

But we also see distinctly and clearly in the New Testament that we are to, as an individual, be giving, as we already saw, to family members in 1 Timothy chapter 5 and verse 8. But also to Christians. Do you see this in Galatians chapter 6? This is an interesting point, and this is where really the rubber meets the road when we distinctify these two classes as giving to the church and giving as an individual. Because we see passages like Galatians chapter 6 and verse 10, where they say, so then as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. And of course, many have made the argument that, see, the church is to support everyone.

Yes, especially those of the household of faith, but everyone. And good Bible students will examine and they’ll say, now, wait a minute. Who is Galatians chapter 6 written to? Is it to the church or is it to the individual? Well, note, 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 too be tempted. 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.

Do you know verse 8? We studied this just two weeks ago at the 11 o’clock hour. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Over and again, Galatians chapter 6 is clear that it is to the individual. But it’s not enough to say, well, the church shouldn’t help everyone who are non-Christians because we don’t see that in the New Testament. It is enough to say, I have an obligation to help those in the world. We need to see that we are responsible for that. It’s not just an absence of giving. The Lord didn’t not consider the needs of those who were not Christians at the moment.

But that God absolutely has a plan for them. But if his plan is to be carried out, I, as a child of God, have to step up and be willing to help. But if you know the very important caveat in verse 10, as we have opportunity, we’re going to discuss that in just a few moments. Let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. I don’t think a lot of us have this problem. If I were to ask this morning, who has a lot of extra money? They, they just want to throw at something. They don’t really care where it goes. They just want to just want to do something fun and nice. If you do, I promise you with all of my heart, if you seek one of the elders or one of the deacons, they will find a person in this congregation who could benefit from your sharing what the Lord has blessed you with.

Absolutely. In just one second, we could perhaps come up with an answer, and you could help a fellow Christian, and thus fulfilling Galatians chapter 6 and verse 10, that we are to do good to everyone, especially who? Those of the household of faith. We’re going to talk about how we do that as we move forward, but I just want to lay some ground rules here. And certainly in Galatians chapter 6 and verse 10, and in the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus himself makes it clear that everyone is our neighbor, that we are to help those who we see in need. And certainly, as Galatians chapter 6 defines, as we have opportunity. So we see an example there that we are to help everybody. But that does not mean that the church is to help everybody.

3. Give on the First Day of Every Week

So you see these two distinct areas of giving, and we understand that we have to be a part of those. But then the question becomes, how am I to do that? Well, in 1 Corinthians chapter 16, we have a couple of clues. In fact, riddled throughout the scriptures, we see how am I to give? And this is where it starts stepping on some toes, namely these two that are standing before you this morning. Look at me in 1 Corinthians chapter 16, though. I hope you come away with the same out of the out of the study that I have gained, that we have a heavy obligation and a heavy responsibility to be a part of the Lord’s work in a very real financial and by the way, otherwise way.

These passages do certainly apply to giving financially, but they certainly apply to giving of our time and of all that we have emotionally and physically that the Lord has blessed us with. In 1 Corinthians chapter 16, now concerning the collection for the saints as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. Note verse 2 carefully, on the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. You see a couple thoughts in verse two we’re going to come back to. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredited by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.

In verse 2, if I’ve I’ve heard it said that, well, that’s not to the church. That’s just for a special need at this time in the church history. But if you consider, as we’ve already discussed, that the church is to be involved in benevolence, if the church is to be involved in the building up of the saints and edification, and if the church is to be supporting local or perhaps abroad evangelist, where is that money going to come from? Well, you see that it comes from the treasury. Now note how it’s to be done on the first day of which week? Every week. It’s interesting that the Lord’s Supper we draw from an example in Acts chapter 20 and verse 7, that they were gathered together to break bread on the first day of the week.

And we say, well, the first day of the week comes every week. In 1 Corinthians chapter 16, the word every is even supplied in the text. So we should certainly take advantage of this opportunity just as frequently, and as with much consideration as we do even the Lord’s Supper, although for their differing reasons. But you know that each of you is to put something aside and store it up as he may prosper. What’s the purpose of this? So there will be no collecting when I come, that it will be there, that it will be done, it will be finished. And you see that this giving is to be done cheerfully, not grudgingly. Well, you consider with me in 2 Corinthians chapter 9. This is an interesting point.

4. Give Cheerfully, Not Grudgingly

We know the verse. We know that it says we need to give cheerfully. We understand 2 Corinthians chapter 9. It says we want to reap what we have sown, and certainly if we want to reap riches, we should sow riches. But in 2 Corinthians chapter 9 and verse 6, we see the point is this. Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give what? As he has decided in his heart. Not reluctantly under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful, cheerful giver. So how am I to give? Cheerfully, generously. Not grudgingly, not because I have to, but can I tell you that this really takes some forms that we don’t necessarily like? If I do something grudgingly, how is it often going to happen?

Probably I’m going to put it off till the last second. And if I if I’m grudging about it, I’m really not going to partake in as much as I can. And you see, what does the text reveal to us though in verse 7? Each one must give as he has decided in his heart. Now, this is Paul writing, the inspired will of God revealing at the end of verse 7, not reluctantly or under compulsion. Giving does no good, at least on our giving an account to God, if we do so reluctantly, grudgingly, and not cheerfully or generously. What does God love? A cheerful giver. How are we going to reap? According to what we have sown. It’s interesting that sometimes we view parts of worship as an afterthought.

Maybe we maybe we focus on the Lord’s Supper as we rightfully should. But singing praises to God is absolutely a command and an expectation for his people. But so is giving of our means to the church financially. We need to understand that our giving is not about me, but it’s about God. It’s not about what I can do for others, it’s about what God can do with what I am just simply being a steward over. And you see that principle in Matthew chapter 25. And we know the parable of the talents well. We know the idea was that a man, a master came and left with his servants one five talents, one two talents, and one one talent man. And if you know anything about the talents in there in that context, they are actually referring to financials.

And so, what was the expectation of the man with five talents in Matthew chapter 25? That he would do something with it. We know that because the man with five talents turned around and made five more. The man with two talents turned it around and made two additional talents for his master. But that the master came and when he gave that one man one talent, he did what with it? He buried it. Because he was afraid of his master. He didn’t know what to do, he didn’t want to lose it. He just buried it and he came back, he presented the one. But what was the master’s response to him? Was it great? Thank you for guarding what was mine. Thank you for taking advantage of it.

No. He did not give back to his master more than he was given. God has given us great riches. Amen? If he has done that, then we must supply richly back. If we are stewards of what is God’s, do we see how that is life changing? If what God has given me is simply his that I am being a steward over, will I not give back cheerfully? Just because I know that it is not mine anyway? The problem with giving grudgingly is what? I want to use it for something else. But this is God’s money. This is God’s life that he has blessed me with. Each and every day it is a blessing to wake up, but we wake up so that we can do what?

So that we can shine our light before men. Why? So that they may see our good works and glorify our God who is in heaven. That’s what Jesus said the purpose of shining a light is for in Matthew chapter 5 and verse 16. Why would that not apply to my wallet? You see, a lot of times we we get the idea that we are spirits who happen to have a body, that we’re souls with a body and not bodies that just happen to have a soul. And that changes our perspective. We want to put away sinful things and we want to take on these acts of righteousness. We want to set our minds on things above. But do I truly wholeheartedly, cheerfully, give to the Lord?

5. Plan Our Giving

Certainly that applies to the church collection, but can we understand that this also applies to giving to individuals? If we’re going to be giving, if we’re going to be serving as a Christian, it includes our money, and it certainly includes cheerfully giving even to those who are in need. Jesus makes a strong point continuing just after the parable of the talents. How he’s going to give an account. He’s going to ask for an account, excuse me, of those who saw someone in need, saw someone hungry, thirsty, sick, in prison. And we may not know who it is. But we are obligated as Christians. We are obligated as children of God to share in the great blessings that He has blessed us with. You see, it’s interesting that we should plan our giving in both cases, because oftentimes we kind of just go with the flow on it.

But if you note the context of 2 Corinthians chapter 9, that is exactly what Paul is asking them to do. You know with me in verse 1 now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints. For I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them. But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready as I said you would be. Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated, to say nothing of you for being so confident.

So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you promised. So that it may be ready as what? A willing gift. Not as an exaction. What is the idea of Paul saying? In verse 5, do you see that? They were to give in advance. Why? So that it would be a willing gift. What happens when we plan? We get excited for things that we plan, do we not? How many of us have just kind of gone on a vacation just because and happen to end up in our location, happen to have our bags, and happen to have a good time? We plan our vacations. We originally decide where we’re going to go, where we’re going to stay, what we’re going to do.

And even in a mundane way, do we not plan for our everyday expenses? Do we not plan to pay the light bill? Do we not plan to pay the mortgage? Why are we not putting God’s work into our budgets? Perhaps not only just as a part of it, but as the first aspect of our life. If God has blessed me with his finances, why would I not turn around and put his will first and fill in the rest as a result of what I have after giving back to God that which is already his? You see, there’s a difference in taking what God has given me and giving off whatever I have left. That’s secondary giving. If we’re going to put God first, we’re going to plan on it from the get-go because it is the Lord’s.

And I am a Christian who puts God first. That applies to the collection plate. But can we see that this applies to giving to others as well? Galatians chapter 6 and verse 10 is absolutely to the individual. And is to the individual that the charge was given, do good to everyone, especially those of the household of faith. How can I say I am a Christian if I just put a couple dollars in the collection plate? Now it depends on what we have. Certainly the widow of the widow with the two minds was an example of giving all that she had, of giving of what she was able. But brothers and sisters in this country, many of us have a great deal. And if I’m considering that what I have is the Lord’s, I have to ask, would the Lord rather my $30 or $40 a month go to cable TV?

6. Give As We Have Prospered

Or to helping those in need? It may not come down to that question, but can we see that there is room in our lives often for sacrifice to put the Lord’s will first? If God expects his Christians to take care of other Christians and to take care of the world, have I dropped the ball if I’m not doing that? Absolutely. We need to be careful to understand that we are to give as we have prospered. In 1 John chapter 3 and verse 17, if you’ll turn there with me, we see this idea, and it’s pretty straightforward. In 1 John chapter 3 and verse 17, you want to know, how do I give? When do I give? How much should I give? We see a good example in 1 John chapter 3 and verse 17.

But if anyone has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? You see in verse 17, if anyone has this world’s goods, that is someone who has the ability and sees his brother in need, that is, sees an opportunity. Yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? The rhetorical answer to that question is it does not. So if God is love is to abide in us, if we are children of God, we will give as we have ability and as we have opportunity. And so then the question becomes, how much should I give? Oftentimes it’s brought up to the Old Testament. In the Old Testament, under the Old Covenant, they would tithe.

And while that is 10%, certainly if you examine the Old Testament and the Old Covenant, you will see that that tithing was far more than 10% when you get down to the nuts and bolts, perhaps over even 20% of what the Jewish people had would be given. And yet we don’t live under that old covenant. But we live under a better covenant. Isn’t that how it’s so described in Hebrews chapter 8? That we live under a better covenant with better promises? Jesus is the guaranteer of a new, better covenant. Amen. Shouldn’t our service and our giving reflect that? If Jesus has paid the ultimate price for sin, how much more should we be willing to help? How much more should I be willing to dedicate my life and my service and my time and my finances to the work of the kingdom of God?

If the word of God is to spread, people have to be teaching. If God’s people are to be cared for, their need needs to be supplied. And in this world, those needs often take finances. So in what situations do I give personally? How do I deal with panhandlers? What would perhaps be Paul’s advice? Perhaps it would be from 2 Corinthians chapter 9. Plan your giving. Can I give a suggestion? Maybe you set aside a certain portion in your budget, not only for the collection plate, so that we’re not just kind of putting in whatever we have left, but we’re planning and giving of our first fruits rather than our leftovers to God. But how about we even apply that to giving to individuals? Maybe you go to the store and you get several food gift cards at the beginning of each month and you hand them out as you have ability.

That’s not to say that you turn down the next person who comes up and you’re just out of gift cards, you say, nope, I gave my allotment, I’m done this month. Certainly the Christian has obligations to family members, and that would not be just at the end or fitting in with our budgets. That would be as we have ability and as we can take care of them. But perhaps if we planned it, it would make a lot more sense to us. We wouldn’t feel as bad because we know we are contributing to the work of the Lord. Because we know that we are putting the needs of the world, and especially those of the household of faith first, rather than leaving the leftovers for God’s people.

Conclusion

Frankly, the only Bible limitation on how much should we give it would be based upon our ability. And scarily enough, based on our willingness to give. What is your ability? Only you can truly identify that. But what is your willingness? That should be at the top of the charts for every child of God. Because Jesus has paid the whole price of sin for us. We can give back of our finances and of our time to our Christian family. Will you go to God in prayer with me? Our dear God and most gracious Heavenly Father, we recognize that you are a mighty God, and we thank you for your great grace and mercy. We pray, O Lord, that we will be graceful and merciful to others. Lord, you know, we know that you have given us such a great deal, including and most importantly, sending Jesus the Christ to die on the cross for our sins.

We pray, dear Lord, that we will reflect your glory, that we will be holy as you are holy, that we will have compassionate hearts, that we will love not only you, but as a result, love our neighbor, who we understand to be those around us. Help us as a church and as individuals to reflect your glory in shining lights into the world by doing what you would have us to do, reading your word, understanding the commitment it takes, and applying all of your commands, all of your examples to our very lives. Help us to truly be lights that teach others how good you are and to glorify your great name. Keep us safe as we go through this day. Be with those in this very church family who are ailing, and help me and help us all to look out for those who are in need so that the day of judgment we can say that we have helped, whether we understood that it was you or not.

We ask all these things in the name of your Son, Jesus the Christ. Amen. We’re now dismissed to our Bible class.