In giving to the poor, shall church always take the initiative, to
distribute the tithings of the memeber to the needy, or encourage
individual memebers to give and distribute to the poort without
using the name of the whole church, if they feel that the Lord is
leading to do so?

Someone says church in most cases has priority in helping the poor, in the name of the whole congregation over individual members, other says
there're no big differences, the other says church shall also encourage
each member to help the needy besides giving to the church.

What's your comments on this? I searched monergism and found no
answer to this question, could someone provide some online references?

Thanks.

__________________
Duncan
Member of a certain House Church
Far East

I think that a case can be made for both dear brother. We should always be ready as individuals to relieve the afflicted where ever possible and also to work within the framework of our local church to do the same.
BTW, it is good to see you here again. I have missed you.

__________________
1689 Baptist Confession

Psa 55:16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
Psa 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
James Farley, Wilderness Road Baptist Assembly.
Husband of Melissa and father of Ann.
www.wildernessroadbaptist.org

For me there is no problem in giving something to the poor as long as the the poor that you want to help is really incapable to work. Cornelios was doing that too and other desciples and they even give more than the poor asked them. Iwill just let the member do want they want for i know they are matured enough to know if the man or poor is really in need.

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L. Eddie
Nabua Congregation (PCP)
Philippines

"Are you worried because you are being missunderstood? NO, you should not be worried if you are being missunderstood rather be worried if you are not understanding" UNKNOWN

Thanks brother, I pray for you from time to time (not so always,not so fervently I have to confess).

__________________
Duncan
Member of a certain House Church
Far East

Actually in my real case, someone decided to contribute to a good cause,
but some members prefer the giving be made in the name of the church,
saying church should lead individual members, have priority over them in helping
the poor.

Still I wonder if there are some resources on this practical issue.

__________________
Duncan
Member of a certain House Church
Far East

duncan001;

I think it should be both as well, the church can certainly help with various needs of people, while we as individuals can help with other needs.

And in my opinion, helping the poor is not just 'giving' them food or money, it can also be in helping them to locate a job or teaching them a skill so they can begin to support themselves.

For example, if a Christian owns his own business, he could certainly offer to train someone who has no skills, or if the person has skills but his business doesn't need help in that area, he could call around to various business associates and see if they could hire the person.

Then if the person is really not wanting to work to support themselves, then Scripture applies..he who will not work, does not eat..and the church should no longer be under obligation to assist them further, as they have done all they could to assist the person.

If they honestly can not work, then the church could locate a few member families who might be able to financially 'sponsor' them, each family working together to help buy food or whatever the need..

The church and state would do well to apply that Biblical truth..

__________________
Bobbi Clark
Covenant Member
Pinewood Pres. (PCA) Middleburg

When I kept Silent, My bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. Psalm 32:3

duncan001

it sounds like they prefer to give in secret, so that others don't begin to give them the praise for their giving..and that they prefer God to get the Glory for providing..

__________________
Bobbi Clark
Covenant Member
Pinewood Pres. (PCA) Middleburg

When I kept Silent, My bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. Psalm 32:3

I believe that the deacon's on behalf of the church should be ever watchful and made aware of needs within the church body. This last Lord's Day the deacons made the congregation aware of a family that had been burned out. They sent around a sheet in Sunday School for people to list furniture and clothes that they might be willing to donate.

In this way, the church individuals help and leave the deacon's fund available for needy members. The Pastor and teachers should teach the congregation that it is their (the individuals) responsibility to serve our neighbors as our spiritual service of worship. God doesn't need anything but your neighbor does. Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor.

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Bob Vigneault (Bawb Vēēn-yo)
I just know there's got to be a pony in here somewhere!

The Heartbeat of Heaven (blog) MySpace (Music), MySpace (Personal)
Member of Christ Presbyterian Church, Janesville, WI OPC www.christ-opc.org

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

It is interesting that you have told us about this Bob; over here, if such a thing were to happen to a family, most Christians would expect the state to assist them, and would not think that they should be supported by church/private charity. We are not like the early Christians; even their enemies could say "see how these Christians love each other", not much chance of them saying that now.

__________________
Daniel Ritchie
Saintfield, Northern Ireland - Queen's University, Belfast:History/Politics
Member of Dromara Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland (Covenanter)

I agree with 'both' also. The OT emphasis pity to the poor as part of the character of a righteous person, and in the New Testament both kinds of giving are mentioned.

42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Matthew 5

25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. 26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. Romans 15

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Heidi
Indianapolis, Indiana

After two days, he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.
Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.

Please keep the Biblical perspective on this subject. If ones emotionalism controls your action, then you will not fulfill the biblical mandate. Feeding someone in the name of Christ is always easier than calling for a sinful person to repent. We have the tendancy to feel their deepest need is not to be reconciled to Christ. Wee seem to think if he or she is only fed, or lives in a society that brims with Christian prinicples and ethics, or sees our battles against the world's injustuces, then all is ok. And we have discharged our pledge to Christ. Christ Himself does not agree: "For what would it porfit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses himself?"

That being said, regardless if it is individuals or the body, make sure you give your alms wihtout personal elevation, 'So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. "But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,....'

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N. Robert; Trinity Reformed Church RCA, Holland MI

Once in a while you can get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right."

1 Timothy 5:16 gives us a rule in the case of widows, which we can probably generalize.

If an individual can help out without involving the church, that is fine: but the purpose of that isn't to prevent the church from helping the poor, but rather to keep them free to assist those who have no other recourse.

__________________
Ruben
Moderator

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