How A Church May Use Its Money (3)

In Romans 12:17b, Paul admonished, "Provide things honest in the sight of all men." In II Cor. 8:21, he also said, "Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men." It was Paul's intent to be honorable in all dealings. So we, individually and collectively, must be honorable before God and man. That involves our obeying God in all things. The church must obey God by using its benevolent funds in a scriptural way. How may the church scripturally use its benevolent funds? What does the word of God say?

"And fear came upon every soul....And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need" (Acts 2:43-45). The distribution was to those "believers" (saints) who had need.

"And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them (saints, GM) that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man (saint, GM) according as he had need" (Acts 4:33-35).

"And in those days, when the number of the disciples (saints, GM) was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business" (Acts 6:1-3). The Jerusalem church took care of its own needy saints.

"And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the spirit that there should be great dearth throughtout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren (saints, GM) which dwelt in Judaea: Which also they did, and set it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul" (Acts 11:27-30).

The collection in I Cor. 16:1,2 was "...for the saints...." Paul again mentioned this in Romans 15:25-27: "But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things." Here again, the ministration was for the poor among the saints.

"For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God." (II Cor. 8:12). The Corinthian contribution supplied the want of the saints.