Benevolence

The Church In Jerusalem

• Christians had all things in common. Some Christians sold their property and possessions to share with Christians who had need (Acts2:44-45; 4:32-37).
• The church supplied food to widows of the congregation who hadn’t (Act 6:1-6).
• Men (deacons) were appointed to take care of this work (Acts6:2-6).

The Church In Antioch

• The church in Antioch sent a contribution to the brethren living in Judea by Barnabas and Paul (Acts 11:27-30).
• It was delivered to the elders to be disbursed to the saints (Acts11:30).
• Whenever one church sends financial aid to Christians in another congregation, the money goes directly from the giving congregation to the receiving congregation.
• There is not a human institution or another church (i.e., sponsoring church) between the giving and receiving churches.

The Church In Corinth

• Contribution for the saints was taken up on the first day of the week(1 Cor. 16:1
• Brethren were responsible for delivering the contribution (1Cor. 16:3-4; 2 Cor. 8:19,)
• Churches in Galatia (1 Cor. 16:1), Macedonia, and Achaia (2Cor. 8:1; 9:2) also sent a contribution.
• The contribution was for support of the saints (2 Cor. 8:4; 9:12).
• The collection was not for the support of unbelievers.
• Only Christians could have glorified God and prayed on the Corinthians’ behalf (2 Cor. 9:13 14).
• The result of a congregation being benevolent to other Christians is thanksgiving and glorification of God (2 Cor. 9:11-13).

To Widows By A Congregation

• Widows who were put on the list (roll) had to meet specific qualifications (1 Tim. 5:3-16).
• Widows who were put on the “list” (“roll”) were widows permanently supported by the church.
• Needy widows in Jerusalem received a daily distribution of food for which deacons were responsible (Acts 6:1-6).
• Benevolence of individual Christians is not limited to the saints.
• Individual Christians have a responsibility to care for their families (1 Tim.5:8).
• The church is not to be burdened with the care of Christian widows if their families can care for them (1 Tim. 5:4, 8, 16).
• Individual Christians are to do good to all, especially those who are of the household of the faith (Gal. 6:3-10).
• Christians must examine their “own” work (Gal. 6:4).
• Here, Paul is writing concerning Christians’ “own” personal responsibilities.
• Christians are to share (i.e., share in the financial responsibilities accrued by teachers; cf. Phil. 1:5; 4:15) with those who teach (Gal.6:6).
• Christians are to not lose heart in doing good (Gal. 6:9).
• Individual Christians are to “visit” orphans and widows in their distress (Ja.1:27; cf. Matt. 25:36, 39).
• “Visit” (episkeptomai) means to look upon or after, to inspect, and to examine with the eyes in order to help.
• This command cannot be accomplished without personally seeing to their needs (cf. Matt. 25:36, 39).
• An individual who does not personally see to the needs of orphans and widows (Ja. 1:27) as he has opportunity (Gal.6:10) has an impure and defiled religion (Ja. 1:27; cf. Ja. 2:14-26).
• Dorcas is an example of a believer being charitable to widows (Acts 9:36, 39).