Posts Tagged ‘benevolence’
What Shall We Do Then?
by Kent Heaton John the Baptist was a fire and brimstone preacher. His appearance alone would strike fear into most hearts. “Now John himself had a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey” (Matthew 3:4). His sermons were direct and not very commending…
Read MoreWhat can the church do for widows?
Question: I am interested in knowing what can the church do for the widows? There is a lady who is a widow and a member of the Lord’s church. She has five grown children. Can the church pay for her husband’s funeral out of the treasury? What if all members quit paying their life insurance…
Read MoreThe Corruption of Money (Sermon)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 6:3-10 I. In any discussion of false teachers you have to address the issue of money. Money is often the motivation for compromising the truth – I Timothy 6:10-11 A. Teaching for the money they can make – Titus 1:10-11 B. II Peter 2:3 – Some make merchandise of the…
Read MoreNotes on Church Spending
Eldership I Timothy 5:18 Preaching Matthew 10:5-10 Luke 10:7-8 I Corinthians 9:3-14 II Corinthians 8:1-8 II Corinthians 11:8 Philippians 4:15-18 I Timothy 5:18 Widows Acts 6:1-6 I Timothy 5:3-16 See also: Notes on Benevolence
Read MoreNotes on Benevolence
Acts 11:29-30 Romans 12:13 Romans 15:26-27 I Corinthians 16:1-3 II Corinthians 8:1-8 Ephesians 4:28 See Also: Notes on Church Spending
Read MoreCan the church use its funds to send flowers?
Question: In an attempt to justify the church using money out of its treasury to send flowers to sick or bereaved members, an argument has been made that it is a “gift” meant to encourage, like the gifts sent to Paul in Philippians 4:15-19. In comments I have read in discussions and debates, it seems as…
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 MoreA Church Treasury, Only in an Emergency?
by Gordon J. Pennock via Truth Magazine – January 1961 It seems that considerable controversy has arisen regarding what we call the church treasury, meaning of course the funds contributed by the members of local churches. This controversy seems to be a by-product of the discussion of scriptural and unscriptural ways in which such funds are spent.…
Read MoreHow should aid be sent to members of the church?
Question: How should aid be sent help disaster victims who are members of the church? I received the following letter [edited] and I don’t know how to respond. Dear Brethren, I would like to offer a unique opportunity to you and your respective congregations. So many times, when there are calamities such as this that…
Read MoreCan money be used from the church treasury to do good for non-Christians?
Comment: The following is taken from a list of questions sent to me by my request. The author is from a more liberally-minded group who is preparing lessons on the issues that separate some churches of Christ. He was interested in the other side’s point of view and I was interested in how he would…
Read MoreThe Poor Among Us
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Poverty is an existing problem. It has always been this way and it will continue until the world ends. A. Jesus said “You will always have the poor among you.” – John 12:8 B. Poverty comes from a variety of sources: Circumstances, incapacity, and sometimes even by choice. 1. These things will continue to…
Read MoreWhat lessons can we learn from Boaz?
Question: The relationship between Boaz and his workers was enviable. Is it possible today? Why or why not? Answer: The story of Boaz is found in the book of Ruth. While you appear to think highly of Boaz’s relationship with his servants, there is actually little material to draw upon. In Ruth 2:4 we see Boaz giving…
Read MoreThe Ten Cannots
by William J. H. Boetcker (1916) You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot build character and courage by taking away man’s initiative…
Read MoreThose “Strange” Macedonians
by Bonds Stocks via The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 12, October 1952. “Moreover, brethren we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed upon the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their…
Read MoreMore About Those “Strange” Macedonians
by Bonds Stocks via The Preceptor, Vol. 2, No. 1, Nov. 1952. “Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For…
Read MoreOrphans and Their Care
I. Orphans are not mentioned often in the New Testament, once to be precise, but many have developed unusual ideas about how to care for the orphans in our midst. A. Unusual, because their teaching does not follow the plain statements of the New Testament. B. The passage we will delve into is James 1:27. II. The Bible’s…
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