Can the Church Assist Non-Saints From the Treasury
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon OutlinesINTRODUCTION:
1. The example of Christ with regard to giving.
1) His miracles a matter of giving. Matthew 10:8
2) He gave His blood. Romans 5:8
2. The teaching of Jesus on giving.
1) The good Samaritan. Luke 10:25ff
2) Give even to your enemies. Matthew 5:43-48
3) The giver serves Jesus. Matthew 25:31ff
4) Give to the poor. Matthew 19:21
5) The return of giving. Luke 6:38
3. This matter was taught in the church.
1) “Support the weak.” Acts 20:35
2) “Do good unto all men,” Gal. 6:10.
4. The church is to be prepared to render assistance, 1 Tim. 5:16; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2.
5. The apostle Paul teaches us to be prepared for needs beforehand. This is the reason for our collection, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2.
6. This is something practiced from the beginning, Acts 2:42; 2 Corinthians 8:4; 2 Corinthians 9:13; Acts 4:32-35.
[There are some, however that tell us that these funds collected into the common treasure can only be given to the saints. They say that the Bible doesn’t authorize it because there is no example of it in the New Testament. They say all examples of giving are to the saints. So, we ask the question, Can the church assist non-saints from the treasury? Is it authorized to do so?]
DISCUSSION:
I. EXAMPLES DO NOT LIMIT.
1. A previous lesson pointed out examples corresponding to the command “go” in Mark 16:15.
1) Individuals obeyed the command to go in various ways. (Walked, rode a donkey, in a chariot, carried by Holy Spirit, by ship, and swimming.)
2) These do not limit us because of the general command to “Go.”
3) We may go by bus, train, car, 747, bicycle, motorcycle, or space shuttle. With this we all agree. The examples do not limit.
2. We have an example of giving to saints in Judea (Acts 11:28-30). This is under the general command to “do good.” Gal. 6:10
3. In our “doing good” we are not limited by that example or any other in the New Testament.
II. WE HAVE AN EXAMPLE OF GIVING TO NON-SAINTS FROM THE TREASURY. Acts 11:28-30; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2
1. Statistically we can infer that some of this money went to non-saints. Unbelieving wives, children, elderly, unbelieving parents of believers.
2. The Corinthians gave to ALL. 2 Corinthians 9:13
III. IMPLICATIONS OF THE “SAINTS ONLY” DOCTRINE.
If it it is true that non-saints can’t be supported from the treasury, then,
1. We cannot help an orphan even if the money goes directly to one of our member’s homes or an orphans home.
2. We cannot give to a needy non-orphan child.
3. We cannot provide shelter, clothing, blankets or food for non-saints during disasters.
4. We cannot give away Bibles if they were purchased from the treasury.
5. We cannot provide baptismal garments from the treasury.
6. All amenities of the church building are off limits to the non-saint. Air conditioning, restroom facilities, pews or chairs, songbooks, tracts, even the baptistery are provided from the treasury.
7. We can feed and clothe a needy saint but not his starving children.
8. The “saints only” doctrine can’t be followed consistently. You can’t pick and choose which to enforce and which to overlook.
IV. THE CHURCH IS PART OF CHRIST.
1. Christ the Head shed His blood for the non-saint.
2. Shall we affirm that that the body of that Head cannot give a dime out of His treasury to help a child? God forbid.
3. The difference between the treasury and the pocketbook of the individual saint is a slim one.
1) Every dime of both belongs to Christ.
2) All is to be used for His purposes.
3) The only difference is that the treasury is a gathering in preparation.
V. PUT IT TO REST.
This idea that only saints can receive assistance from the treasure needs to be put to rest. Hearing it is hearing the hiss of the serpent in the garden. God said, “Ye shall surely die.” Satan said, “Ye shall not surely die.” God said to the churches of Galatia, “Do good unto all men.” Satan says, “Do not do good unto all men.”