Church Benevolence

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What Does The Bible Say About Benevolence?
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Benevolence

• Individual
• Church action
• 3 Questions
• Who is responsible, the individual or the church?
• Who is the recipient?
• Who is administering the benevolence?

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Individual Benevolence

• Example of Dorcas Acts 936
• At Joppa there was a certain disciple named
  Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman
  was full of good works and charitable deeds which
  she did.

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Individual Benevolence

• Example of Dorcas Acts 936
• Regarding widows/orphans Jam 127
• Pure and undefiled religion before God and the
  Father is this to visit orphans and widows in
  their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from
  the world.

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Individual Benevolence

• Example of Dorcas Acts 936
• Regarding widows/orphans Jam 127
• Regarding needy saints Rom 1210-13
• Regarding family 1 Tim 53-8, 16
• Instructions to the rich 1 Tim 617-19
• Regarding all men Gal 69-10
• Good works are praised and encouraged Heb
  610-11, 1 John 317-18

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Church Benevolence

• Church maintains a treasury to meet certain needs
  1 Cor. 162
• Upon the first day of the week let every one of
  you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered
  him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

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Church Benevolence

• Church maintains a treasury to meet certain needs
  1 Cor. 162
• 3 Questions
• Who is responsible, the individual or the church?
• Who is the recipient?
• Who is administering the benevolence?

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Church Benevolence Its Own

• The Jerusalem church provided for its own Acts
  432-35
• Individuals gave of their means
• The apostles administered relief to the needy
  saints
• As the church grew a need was identified and the
  church responded Acts 61-4
• Only members received aid
• No outside agency was used

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Church Benevolence Other Churches

• The Antioch church Acts 1127-30
• Relief sent to elders of the Jerusalem church
• Jerusalem church administered relief to its needy
  saints
• Funds sent directly no outside agency
• Macedonia and Achaia Rom 1525-31
• Relief was sent to needy saints in Jerusalem
• Elders at Jerusalem administered relief to its
  needy saints

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Church Benevolence Other Churches

• The church in Corinth 1 Cor 161-2
• Collection was for the saints
• Voluntary collection from its members no bake
  sales, raffles, etc.
• Jerusalem church administered relief