In a disaster, should congregations help a congregation rebuild?
Question:
Brother Hamilton,
I have already read several of your articles on benevolence, and they are quite useful. I was hoping that you could provide some answers to the following.
A church is hit by a natural disaster, and brethren have damage to their homes and vehicles. There is also damage to several church buildings. A local preacher asks that money be sent to him for the repair of the buildings and for distribution to those who need personal repairs on their homes, etc.
Is one church allowed to fund the building or repair of another?
What if the receiving church has no elders?
If the preacher is known to the church sending the aid, is that sufficient to use him as an intermediary for the churches that need buildings repaired, and also as an intermediary for the benevolence to the individual Christian’s effected?
Is there a level of damage that should exist before aid is sent from a church for benevolence? (For example, a storm damages one sister's car, can your church please send money to help her?)
Thank you in advance for your thoughts.
Answer:
We can establish that the church can use its funds to help Christians recover from major disasters. See "The Church at Work in Benevolence." These funds helped Christians survive. It is not an insurance program.
There is no requirement that a congregation own a building. Those who choose to own a building do so because it is cheaper than renting a facility. Thus, replacing a building is a hardship for a congregation, but not necessary for the group's survival.
Funds were sent to the elders of each congregation. I would suppose that if a congregation had no elders, then it would be sent to the congregation as a whole. It would not be sent to a preacher, since a single man would be handling the money. There needs to be accountability. "Taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift; for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men" (II Corinthians 8:20-21). Besides, this man suggests that aid to multiple congregations be sent through him. There is no example of this.
