BVBC Module # 2

ECCLESIOLOGY III Date: March 16, 2021

Objectives:

At the end of the lesson the students will be able to:

1. Determined the principles of social charity in the church

2. Recognized to whom does church’s obligation extend
3. Distinguish the most priority of helping poor people in the church.

Title: THE CHURCH’S PROVISION FOR THE POOR

INTRODUCTION:
1. Read Acts 6:1-4, Gal. 2:9-10, I Tim. 5:1-16
2. These verses and others that deal with Christian compassion forbid us to be
insensitive to __the poor_________.
a. Moreover, they assure us that the church as such has some social
_obligations_________.
b. Today’s social confusion makes these responsibilities difficult to identify.
3. Let us try to see from scripture some __light________ on this matter.
a. To whom does our responsibility extend?
b. How much are we bound to provide?
c. How does the order of priorities line up?

I. THE BASIC PRINCIPLE OF SOCIAL CHARITY (Mat 11:5)

A. It is impossible to study the scripture and not see the _responsibility to the poor.

B. It is also evident that this responsibility __extended_________ to the New Testament

church.
1. The Lord cites it in the fulfillment of divine law – Mat. 19:21.
2. James says it is “pure religion” – James 1:27.
3. Paul says it is something he was forward to do – Gal. 2:10
4. John says it is an indispensable mark of the love of God – I Jn. 3:17-18

II. TO WHOM DOES THE CHURCH’S OBLIGATION EXTEND?

A. Our obligation extends to the needs of our _fellow_________ believers.

1. In Acts 6:1-4; it was among the “disciples” as they increased.
2. Paul’s charge to Timothy related to those who were in the faith.
3. John’s exhortation concerned a brother.
4. The offerings taken as in Rom. 15:25-26 and II Cor. 9:1 were for the poor “saints”
at Jerusalem, etc.
 B. Conversely, we find no __direct charge_____________ to the church to go beyond this.
1. The conception of the world that the church is obliged to help provide for them is
difficult (if not _impossible_________) to prove from scripture.
2. It is, however, very binding upon us concerning our fellow Christians and
specially those Christians of our own __family_______ – I Tim. 5:8

III. HOW MUCH ARE WE BOUND TO PROVIDE?

A. The implication of the scripture is clearly food, raiment and shelter.

● Anything beyond this is essentially luxury to be thankful for but not
_demanded_________

B. Most of the requests we get today go beyond this.

1. Transportation money, Funeral bills, Utility bills, Medical bills
2. Usually a few pesos are not appreciated.

IV. HOW DOES THE ORDER OF PRIORITIES LINE UP?

A. Which do we put first?

1. Sometimes the question is not so much propriety but _priority________.
2. The world will always put a greater emphasis on the _physical__________ than the
spiritual.
3. The basic Bible principle is “first the kingdom of God.”
a. The Lord said worship is more important than feeding the _poor______ – Mat.
26:6-13
b. Evangelism is far more important than social benevolence.

B. If we disciple, baptize and teach the _principle__________ of Mat. 6:33, we will have
done the utmost for the poor.
Course: ECCLESIOLOGY 103

MODULE 2 EXERCISES

1.   Is the church mandated by Scriptures to provide for social

charity?
Yes, it was clear in the Scripture that we ought to tend to the poor, may it be
physical or spiritual matter. Primarily, to prove our love to God.

2. What classes of people should we extend charity to?

Christians, as we are brothers and sisters under the fatherhood of God, we ought
to help and love one another. We can help the world if we are able to, but
primarily, our help is to one another. The only thing that we can give with charity
to the world is the Gospel of Christ, as we are not responsible for their needs
neither will we be, except they will be converted and become one of our family.
3. How much help is the church obligated to provide?

Food, raiment, and food. Any other thing than these is luxury and as much as
possible, should not be demanded.
4. What can we give people to help them the most?

The best help we can give to people is the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of
God to save souls from the grasp of sin and death. As for my fellow believers,
the best we can give them is love. Love that forgiveth and leadeth one another
to God. This is what our Father wants us to do, and we can be sure that He is
smiling when we help and love each other with godly love.