Posts Tagged ‘benevolence’
“Eis Pantas” Redux
by Cloyce Sutton II via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 1, January 2015 For over half a century, brothers and sisters in Christ have disagreed on the extent of local church benevolence. May a local church financially assist unbelievers? Or to put it differently, must a local church restrict its benevolence to Christians? I am convinced…
Read MoreCollection for the Saints or Collection for Preachers?
by Sewell Hall via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15, No. 1, January 2015 A very respected and perceptive brother expressed the following in a note to the elders where he worships: “I am concerned that the collection for the saints’ is becoming ‘the collection for the preachers.’” Since others may have similar concerns, we offer the…
Read MoreThe Purpose of the Local Church – Financial Support for Members
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/The-Purpose-of-the-Local-Church-Financial-Support-for-Members.mp3 Download Audio by David Bunting Understanding Christ’s Church
Read MoreAre we not to support organizations that do good?
Question: Dear Sir: I have been reading your website for a long time and gaining much knowledge from it. I am puzzled though about how we as Christians are to meet the expectations of Matthew 25:31-46. If we are not to support organizations, such as the Salvation Army, is there a recommended method to contribute…
Read MoreI can’t help everyone
Question: Hello brother Hamilton, Before I explain my situation and ask questions, I wanted to say thank you for the Lord’s work being done on the La Vista website and how easy it is to find study materials and answers to various Bible questions. My friend introduced me to the website some time ago and…
Read MoreDid Paul bring alms to all Jews or just Christians?
Question: Hello Jeffrey, The Apostle Paul in Acts 24:17 shows that he brought alms, supplied by churches, to his nation. Alms would be mercy benevolence to the poor of that region. The New Testament Greek word for “nation” in this passage is ethnos. Thayer defines this word as a multitude associated or living together. Louw & Nida’s Greek Lexicon…
Read MoreHow should I help the homeless?
Question: Dear Sir, I live in a city where there are a lot of homeless people. I need to know what I as a Christian need to do to help them. I give money at my local grocery store that goes to a food bank for those in need, I also leave a care package…
Read MoreAre You a Good Samaritan?
by Jefferson David Tant If you know anything about the Bible at all, you probably know the story of The Good Samaritan as recorded in Luke 10:30-37. But before we get to that, please read the story about a young boy in Leeds, England. Chivalry Is Not Dead In Leeds, on a very wet wintry…
Read MoreFruitful Christians
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Fruitful-Christians.mp3 by Jeffery W. Hamilton Text John 15:1-8 I. We know that Jesus’ words in John 15 concerning the vine and branches are dealing with individual Christians and not denominations. A. Jesus is the vine, each one of us are branches off that vine, and God is the vinedresser. B. But don’t get so caught up in…
Read MoreIs it wrong to do volunteer work that may interfere with attending services?
Question: Jeffrey, I want to ask a question concerning non-government operations (NGOs) and volunteer groups. I have this desire to be part of such organizations and groups to help humans and contribute to society and humanity in general. But my challenge is that it can be time-consuming, which is affecting my presence in church (mostly…
Read MoreBut It’s a Good Work
by Jefferson David Tant From time to time, when discussing the mission and work of the church, questions are raised about certain practices that some will claim are not authorized in Scripture. The response often given is “But it’s a good work.” This has been a standard thought when discussions arise about orphan homes, “Christian”…
Read MoreWho is Romans 12:13 talking about?
Question: Good morning, I came across a comment that was made on a particular verse: Romans 12:13, “Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.” Could you please comment on who it is that is distributing the needs of the saints? And that of given to hospitality. In Greek, this “given to hospitality,” is…
Read MoreHow far can a church go in assisting a congregation in a disaster area?
Question: How far can a congregation go to help another congregation in need? For example several states away a congregation’s building gets destroyed by a hurricane along with several members homes. Because of the devastation, they have no access to building supply stores and the like. They are not just in need of monetary assistance…
Read MoreMeasuring Acceptability
by Whit Sasser In II Corinthians 8:12 we read, “For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.” This principle of God’s word is to be respected, as well as all others. Sadly, there seem to be many areas…
Read MoreHow Pure Is Your Religion?
by Jefferson David Tant You know the verse: “Pure and undefiled religion … is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress” (James 1:27). Now, consider Ezekiel 16:49, where God mentions Sodom’s sins. “Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food, and careless ease, but…
Read MoreHow do I teach someone about the proper way to do benevolence?
Question: Hello, I am a newer Christian and love your site. Thanks so much for making it available. While I have much growth spiritually, know that you are helping me to grow. My cousin and I do not agree on the benevolence work of an individual Christian vs. the Local Church. He wants to study…
Read MoreSeek the Welfare of the City
by Doy Moyer God’s people had been sent into exile because of their failure to keep the covenant. While in Babylonian exile, what should have been the attitude of the exiles generally? Jeremiah sent a letter to those in exile: “to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all…
Read MoreThree Philosophies of Life
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Three-Philosophies-of-Life.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 10:25-37 I. Luke 10:25-37 A. A lawyer, trying to test Jesus, asked him how to gain eternal life. B. Jesus, as was his want, turned the question around and asked for his opinion first. C. The response was to love God and to love his neighbor. To which Jesus agreed. D. The…
Read MoreCan a church pay school fees as an act of benevolence if the student has no family?
Question: Please, brother, can a church pay school fees as an act of benevolence if the student has no family? Answer: “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world” (James 1:27). God charges…
Read MoreIs it right not to give to the church because you gave it to the poor?
Question: Hello, Please help me answer this question: A friend of mine told me that as he was going to church yesterday he met someone who was sick, and he gave all that he has on him that day to the sick person. Instead of using that money to give to the church, he gave…
Read MoreDoes God require giving everything you have to the church?
Question: Sir, My question stems from a statement made by a minister regarding how we ought to give to God. He said that if we give all the money in our bank account, we will not starve, God will find a way to provide for us. This statement troubled my heart because, in this part…
Read MoreA Friendly Letter on Benevolence
by Irven Lee (1914-1991) April 1, 1958 A good friend that I have known and appreciated a long time sent a letter of inquiry which prompted this answer. Since so many are wondering about the same problems, I am making a few copies of the letter [that I wrote in response] with the hope…
Read MoreIs getting pregnant by artificial insemination when you are not married a sin?
Question: When I was in my thirties and no man would marry me, I had twins by sperm donation. There wasn’t any sexual sin involved in the conception, if that matters. I personally don’t think it does, but you would know better than me. Anyway, I know that isn’t what the Bible says is the…
Read MoreShould aid be given to a member who doesn’t attend worship often?
Question: Good day, Would it be scriptural to refuse a widow benevolence because of very poor attendance at the worship services? Answer: Are you talking about benevolence by individuals? Then it would be up to the individual to decide. Individuals are to do good to all people (Galatians 6:9-10). Are you talking about benevolence by…
Read MoreIs benevolence by Christians limited to other Christians?
Question: I want to know whether sharing or any act of benevolence by Christians should be limited to the body of Christ alone. Answer: There are two standards for benevolence work. One concerns what the church can do and the other concerns what individuals are expected to do. The easy one is what is commanded…
Read MoreHow do you do good when you live in a dangerous country?
Question: Hello, I am a member of a church of Christ and have been continuously blessed by the spiritual resources on your website. May God continue to provide you with the effort to keep this work going. Amen. You will be surprised how many people around the globe with good heart comes to your website…
Read MoreThe People of God — Their Attitude Toward the Social Order
by Ed Harrell Throughout history, in relating themselves to the world, the two options which Christians have most often pursued were to vigorously strive to control the world or to disdainfully withdraw from it. Some have dreamed that they would make their society “Christian,” necessarily defined in cultural and nationalistic terms, and have passed laws,…
Read MoreMy nephew spends everything he makes and is always begging for money to pay bills. What do I do?
Question: I read your article on giving. Someone asked and you gave a lot of discussion around widows and orphans and want versus need. I have family members who look for ways not to work but continually seek help from us. My nephew and his wife do not go to church. My nephew was raised in…
Read MoreShould a church pay for a member’s cremation or ask if his house is in order?
Question: On two separate occasions, the church paid for a member’s cremation. One member was asked if he had his house in order. Is this proper? Answer: The church is only involved in helping members with major disasters, such as a famine in the region (I Corinthians 8 and 9), or, in the longer-term, widows…
Read MoreThe Church at Work in Benevolence
by Irvin Himmel via Guardian of Truth XXXIX:10 p. 6-8, May 18, 1995 There is no better way to teach the plan of salvation than examining the cases of conversion in the book of Acts. Such examples as the Jews on Pentecost, the Samaritans, the Ethiopian eunuch, Saul of Tarsus, Cornelius, Lydia, the Philippian jailer, and the…
Read MoreA “Systemic” Problem
by Ethan R. Longhenry For the past 200 or so years, we have seen a fundamental shift in the way that people relate to one another. The Industrial Revolution has certainly brought its share of benefits: greater productivity, acceleration in the development of technology, a greater quality of life, and longer-lasting life, among other things.…
Read MoreIs there anything wrong with a sister in Christ helping a fellow Christian fallen on hard times?
Question: Hi Brother Hamilton, I have a question that concerns the aiding of a brother or sister in Christ. If there is a member of the congregation who has fallen on hard times (financial chaos, or removal due to an abusive relationship), and a female member of the church has informed the church and its…
Read MoreThe Poor Lame Man and the Church
by Terry W. Benton Just shortly earlier than the scene in Acts 3 is the story of the beginning of the church and the fellowship they had with each other (Acts 2:42f), the selling of possessions to divide among all the saints that had need (due to the unexpected overstay that they, as former unbelieving…
Read MoreHow do I leave my money to help the poor and spread the gospel without it being used for other things?
Question: If someone has no family and wants to make a will leaving his estate for benevolent work (helping the very poor, but also spreading the Gospel), how can this be accomplished? I know how to retain a lawyer and get the legalities performed, but who, in the churches of Christ, does the good works…
Read MoreHow far should I go in helping a family living in sin?
Question: My father-in-law is in poor health and is moving up here with us so we can help take care of him, and he can spend some time with his grandchildren during his remaining time here. Unfortunately, he’s not a Christian. He was originally going to move in with us but then decided against it,…
Read MoreThe Poor Have the Gospel Preached to Them
by Andy Sochor The common perception by people – both within and outside of the religious world – is that churches are charitable organizations designed to help the poor. Denominational churches spend much time, energy, and money helping the poor. Those who are in need (or claim to be in need) often visit churches seeking…
Read MoreLet Us Do Good to All
Let Us Do Good to All – Part 1Let Us Do Good to All – Part 2 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Galatians 6:1-10 I. What is meant by “doing good”? A. Often we think of giving money to the poor, feeding the hungry, etc. And these are good things. B. But when we read Galatians 6:10,…
Read MoreWhy doesn’t the church sell everything it owns to give to the poor?
Question: The church in Acts had people who sold their possessions and gave to those without. Why doesn’t the church do that today? Is it a sin to deny someone something because you want to use it? Answer: An example of the selling of the possessions that you referenced in Acts 4:32 – 5:11 there…
Read MoreI don’t have much, so what do I do with my money?
Question: Hello, I have very little money and this is a rare opportunity to spend it on much-needed personal items. Or should I spend my money on a poor person, giving them all of it? Or should I pay my sister all of it because I owe her quite a bit of money? Answer: “Let…
Read MoreIf I give a gift, should I not say who it is from?
Question: The Bible says to give in secret, so does that mean we should not even let people know who it’s from, or does it mean we should just not go around saying, “Oh, yeah, I gave this to so and so”? And does that mean for a birthday or a random giving we should…
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