Question

I was wondering if you have ever run across the position that the church may only help out of the church treasury widows indeed, preachers, and elders? I preached on benevolence and I taught that the church has the authority to help needy saints. The argument that I am running into is mostly taken from 1 Timothy 5 because in that passage it clearly identifies the responsibility given to the church and to the individual.

When I showed other passages such as Acts 2, Acts 4, Acts 6, Acts 11, 1 Corinthians 16, and 2 Corinthians 8 & 9 - the quibble is that those passages address the individual, not the church. I showed that 1 Corinthians 16 is addressing the church. I discussed the differences between collective action, individual action and concurrent action.

In practical terms, there would be a distinct and separate collection from individuals taken in order to help someone. Some are convinced it would be wrong to help needy saints from the church treasury.

Answer
Keith Sharp

I don't recall having heard this position before. Of course 1 Timothy 5:3-16 specifies the “widow indeed,” but this passage deals with those who may be permanently enrolled as charges of the church. The fact the widow indeed was promising not to remarry, as is implied in verses 11-15, implies they are to be permanently enrolled as charges of the church. On the other hand, as you noted, 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 clearly is the church functioning, and it just specifies “saints” (verse 1). The same is true of Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35; Romans 15:25-28; 2 Corinthians 8:4; and 9:1,13. In fact, Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35; 2 Corinthians 8:4; and 2 Corinthians 9:13 use the term “all,” contextually meaning all the saints.

These passages obviously pertain to congregational rather than individual activity. Acts 2:44 specifies the believers “had all things in common,” collective work. Acts 4:35 reveals they laid the money “at the apostles’ feet.” The apostles took charge of it, making it collective action. 1 Corinthians 16:1 states this is a collection bound upon “churches.” 2 Corinthians 8:1 - “churches.” 2 Corinthians 8:23 - “messengers of the churches.” I don't see how it could be clearer that this is work of the church collectively.

This clearly shows the local congregation acting collectively may and should help on a temporary basis any needy, worthy Christian within its number. To fail to do so would be to fail to show love for one another (2 Corinthians 8:24), which of course would be sin (John 13:34-35). Of course be gentle and patient with brethren who are weak in the faith, but they must not be allowed to bind their untaught conscience on the church (cf. Galatians 2:3-5), so the church fails in its obligation to its own needy.