The Treasury

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The Treasury
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The Church Treasury

• The scripturality of a church treasury is very
  important in the discussion of Christians' use of
  the treasury. If New Testament churches had no
  treasuries then there could be no scriptural
  restrictions or regulations on how the treasury
  could be used by congregations. If treasuries are
  not authorized by the Scriptures then it would be
  sinful to divide congregations over how the
  treasuries are to be used. Thus, it is essential
  to establish the scriptural-ness and necessity of
  a church treasury within local congregation.

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Did Early Churches Have Treasuries ?

• 2 Cor. 118 states, "I robbed other churches,
  taking wages of them that I might minister unto
  you."
• How could an evangelist receive regular,
  consistent wages from a congregation without
  there being regular, reliable contributions from
  the members? How could a church support a man
  regularly without bringing the contributions
  together on a regular basis and forming a
  treasury?

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The Jerusalem Church SupportedNeedy Widows -
How?

• Acts 61-6 Now in those days, when the number of
  the disciples was multiplying, there arose a
  complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists,
  because their widows were neglected in the daily
  distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the
  multitude of the disciples and said,"It is not
  desirable that we should leave the word of God
  and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out
  from among you seven men of good reputation, full
  of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may
  appoint over this business 4 but we will give
  ourselves continually to prayer and to the
  ministry of the word." 5 And the saying pleased
  the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a
  man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and
  Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and
  Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they
  set before the apostles and when they had
  prayed, they laid hands on them.

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The Jerusalem BrethrenSold Their Possessions

• Acts 244-45 Now all who believed were together,
  and had all things in common, 45 and sold their
  possessions and goods, and divided them among
  all, as anyone had need.
• Acts 433-35 Nor was there anyone among them who
  lacked for all who were possessors of lands or
  houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the
  things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the
  apostles' feet and they distributed to each as
  anyone had need.

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Certain Widows Were Supported

• 1 Tim. 519 reports that certain widows were put
  on the list of those who were to receive regular
  support from the church on a permanent basis. How
  could the churches regularly and permanently
  support needy widows and evangelists without a
  church treasury? It would be impossible.

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• 1 Tim 59-10 Do not let a widow under sixty years
  old be taken into the number, and not unless she
  has been the wife of one man, 10 well reported
  for good works if she has brought up children,
  if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed
  the saints' feet, if she has relieved the
  afflicted, if she has diligently followed every
  good work.
• 1 Tim 517-19 Let the elders who rule well be
  counted worthy of double honor, especially those
  who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the
  Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while
  it treads out the grain," and,"The laborer is
  worthy of his wages."

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Pauls Defense For Support

• 1 Cor 91-7 Am I not an apostle? Am I not free?
  Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you
  not my work in the Lord? 2 If I am not an apostle
  to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are
  the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. 3 My
  defense to those who examine me is this 4 Do we
  have no right to eat and drink? 5 Do we have no
  right to take along a believing wife, as do also
  the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and
  Cephas? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have
  no right to refrain from working? 7 Who ever goes
  to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard
  and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a
  flock and does not drink of the milk of the
  flock?

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Command Was Given

• 1 Cor 161-2 Now concerning the collection for
  the saints, as I have given order to the churches
  of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 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.
• We are to plan ahead what we are going to give
  and set it apart ahead of time and not spend that
  money for anything. It is set aside for the
  Lords work and for that alone. It is not simply
  what we have left after everything else is spent
  but before we do anything!

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How Much Should I Give?

• Before we can answer that . . . . . . . .
• Story of Wedding Ceremony How Much?
• The Widows Mite
• The Pearl of Great Price
• The Cost of Discipleship
• 1 Peter 117-19 And if you call on the Father,
  who without partiality judges according to each
  one's work , conduct yourselves throughout the
  time of your stay here in fear 18 knowing that
  you were not redeemed with corruptible things,
  like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct
  received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but
  with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb
  without blemish and without spot.

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Simon, Do You Love Me?

• John 2115-17 So when they had eaten
  breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son
  of Jonah, do you love Me more than these? He
  said to Him, "Yes, Lord You know that I love
  You. He said to him, "Feed My lambs." 16 He
  said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of
  Jonah, do you love Me? He said to Him, "Yes,
  Lord You know that I love You. He said to
  him, "Tend My sheep." 17 He said to him the
  third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love
  Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the
  third time, "Do you love Me?"

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Under The Law of Moses

• Lev 2732-33 And concerning the tithe of the herd
  or the flock, of whatever passes under the rod,
  the tenth one shall be holy to the LORD. 33 He
  shall not inquire whether it is good or bad, nor
  shall he exchange it and if he exchanges it at
  all, then both it and the one exchanged for it
  shall be holy it shall not be redeemed.'"
• Deut 1422-23 "You shall truly tithe all the
  increase of your grain that the field produces
  year by year. 23 And you shall eat before the
  LORD your God, in the place where He chooses to
  make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and
  your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of
  your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to
  fear the LORD your God always.

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Under The Law Of Christ

• 2 Cor 96-8 But this I say He who sows
  sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who
  sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So
  let each one give as he purposes in his heart,
  not grudgingly or of necessity for God loves a
  cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all
  grace abound toward you, that you, always having
  all sufficiency in all things, may have an
  abundance for every good work.

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Giving To Each Other

• Eph 428-29 Let him who stole steal no longer,
  but rather let him labor, working with his hands
  what is good, that he may have something to give
  him who has need.
• Giving an account to God
• Rom 1412 So then each of us shall give account
  of himself to God.

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What Can We Use The Lords
Treasury To Fund ?

• Whatever we deem good (is it up to us)
• What about a vacation for us all to Hawaii
• What about a Helicopter for the preacher
• What about a café in town to feed the hungry
• What about a skiing trip for young folks
• What about the Hotel trip like AIG
• What about a new Diamond Ring for the preachers
  wife

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How Do We Decide ?

• Not based on personal opinion contrary to the
  belief of so many today
• We must find our basis in Gods will
• We have seen the support of Preachers
• We have seen support of Widows
• We have seen support of Christians in need
• The Upper Room

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How Did They Secure The Upper Room
?

• Mark 1414-15 Wherever he goes in, say to the
  master of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is
  the guest room in which I may eat the Passover
  with My disciples?"' 15 Then he will show you a
  large upper room , furnished and prepared there
  make ready for us."
• Was this just given to the disciples to use
• Would a stranger do that today? Do Churches get
  a free room or anything free today?

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• John 1329 For some thought, because Judas
  had the money box, that Jesus had said to him,
  "Buy those things we need for the feast," or that
  he should give something to the poor.
• 2 Cor 99 As it is written"He has dispersed
  abroad, He has given to the poor His
  righteousness endures forever."

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How Does The Church Decide,
How To Use The Lords Treasury ?

• Did they use it for personal business?
• Did they use it for recreation or entertainment?
• Did they use it to make money for the kingdom (
  any schemes we know of)
• Did they use it for the poor other than church?
• Rom 1525-26 For it pleased those from
  Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain
  contribution for the poor among the saints who
  are in Jerusalem.

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Elders Act As AFiduciary

• Of or relating to a holding of something in trust
  for another a fiduciary heir a fiduciary
  contract. b. Of or being a trustee or
  trusteeship. c. Held in trust.
• Leaders in the Church are acting in the place of
  God, they carry out his wishes not their own
• What would God do or have me to do
• What was Gods aim to accomplish here on Earth?

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• A Fiduciary - "one founded on trust or
  confidence reposed by one person in the integrity
  and fidelity of another."  A fiduciary has a duty
  to act primarily for the client's benefit in
  matters connected with the undertaking and not
  for the fiduciary's own personal interest.  
  Scrupulous good faith and candor are always
  required.  Fiduciaries must always act in
  complete fairness and may not ever exert any
  influence or pressure, take selfish advantage, or
  deal with the client in such a way that it
  benefits themselves or prejudices the client. 
  Business shrewdness, hard bargaining, and taking
  advantage of the forgetfulness or negligence of
  the client are totally prohibited by a fiduciary.

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Gods Mission on Earth

• Luke 1910 for the Son of Man has come to seek
  and to save that which was lost.
• Feed the world- No
• John 128 For the poor you have with you always,
  but Me you do not have always."
• John 626-27 Jesus answered them and said, "Most
  assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because
  you saw the signs, but because you ate of the
  loaves and were filled. 27 Do not labor for the
  food which perishes, but for the food which
  endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man
  will give you, because God the Father has set His
  seal on Him."

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• Rom 1213 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor
  what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly
  affectionate to one another with brotherly love,
  in honor giving preference to one another 11 not
  lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving
  the Lord 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in
  tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer 13
  distributing to the needs of the saints , given
  to hospitality.
• Rom 1525 But now I am going to Jerusalem to
  minister to the saints .
• 2 Cor 91 Now concerning the ministering to the
  saints

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What Is The Correct Answer?

• The correct answer is to use the Lords Treasury
  to carry out the work of the church and nothing
  beyond this
• Preach the gospel involves securing a meeting
  place, paying preacher or Elders if they are
  preaching or working for Lord, etc.
• Assisting widows indeed and the poor needy
  saints of the Lords church
• Edification of the church
• 2 Peter 318 but grow in the grace and
  knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.