Not me as i shave my head yesterday...

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Romans 16:16 1 Thess. 5:17 1 Thess. 5:22 1 Tim. 6:12 2 Tim 2:15

In the context of the entire chapter the verse reads

13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto (the saints in Macedonia) them, and (those that are not of the "them", all saints everywhere see 9:1)unto all ; The "men" is added and that is what makes trhe verse confusing.

Let me say it again, the verse we should be looking at in Galatians 6:10.

Kindly,
Don

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Don Gelles,
Preacher, Church of Christ in Hyde Park
Austin, Texas
www.hydeparkcoc.org

I agree. Becuase this is what Galatians 6:10 is teaching. That is not what 2 Corinthians 9:13 is teaching. The argument for support needs to be made from Galatians 6:10.

Kindly,
Don

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Don Gelles,
Preacher, Church of Christ in Hyde Park
Austin, Texas
www.hydeparkcoc.org

Understaing....nice to see!

Good point as I have seen it called the church coffer...when do we realize that the church is not the true owner of this "money"...it is God's and we are to use to help ALL. There is no picking and choosing who to help in reference to who is in need...just make sure it is to all and especially those in the body (church, house of God, whichever term you wish to use).

Excellent point again!

Neither would I...and also knowing this that when helping someone outside of the church, you don't know who you would draw to God. I asked the church about helping one of my friends at work who was burned out of his home and I brought food the next day from the pantry at the church building (which was bought by the church as a whole). He was thankful and began to ask questions and I only hate that he left the job to work elsewhere and I lost contact with him because he was interested, but the seed was planted![/quote]

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Romans 16:16 1 Thess. 5:17 1 Thess. 5:22 1 Tim. 6:12 2 Tim 2:15

Yes, I agree that is what Galatians 6:10 is saying.

You can call it whatever you like . It does not change the fact that money is collected each Sunday and put into an account and used by the congregation. In addition to this, these funds once given are not used by the discretion of every member. In fact, once the money is given very few have control over how the money is spent. Sure sounds like a Treasury to me. I have no problem with that name.

Then what is it. What do you call what the collection is placed in. A bank account, church account, an account, a treasury.... And I will add that just because money is sent form a congregation for something that does not mean that EVERY members supports how that money is being used.

I'm glad you are using "church funds" to help others. Just be mindful of the fact that how you use those funds will result in you being held accountable to God. if for good- than blessings but if for wrong- judgment.

Kindly,
Don

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Don Gelles,
Preacher, Church of Christ in Hyde Park
Austin, Texas
www.hydeparkcoc.org

Perhaps it goes without saying, but we ALL practice "limited benevolence", be it as a congregation or as individuals. We are not able to help with every request and must at time say no.

Here are some eamples of the requests we have gotten as a congregation:
"I need a new Ford F-350 so i can stay in business hauling cattle."
"I need a heart transplant at the cost of 500,000 dollars"
"I am three months behind on my rent. I need 4,000 dollars today."

Here are some requests I have gotten as an individual
"Could you but this car for me, it costs 2,000 dollars."
"I need my utility Bill paid by 5 PM today. I owe 1,800 dollars."
"I want my son to come to America and live with you."

There are times when we will have to say no because we are not able to meet the need that has been requested. It does not mean that the need is not there or that it was not a 'real" need. It just means that there are times when we are not able to help with the need at hand. It's hard a times to admit that we can't help, but we have to be honest with the person and not 'string them along."

Just a few thoughts..Kindly,
Don

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Don Gelles,
Preacher, Church of Christ in Hyde Park
Austin, Texas
www.hydeparkcoc.org

By that statement I'm thinking more along lines of the semantic of doing "special funds" as a way to get around improperly using the "treasury" if the belief is not to help outsiders. If we collect money for any reason we're are doing so as a congregation. We're already supposed to be giving as much as we can, right? Sure, call it treasury, but don't say that the "special benevolence" contribution that I've seen some churches do is not treasury as well.

I can't say that there was ever a dollar spent that some member didn't shoot a spitball at us over. Special collections just encourage the "I'm not giving here, I'm saving it for here" attitude. We'd end up with a large airconditioner fund and not enough to buy the preacher's health insurance.

I hear you on using it correctly ... I'm sure that's why the Lord requires more than one elder ... to help us stay out of trouble.

*** edited semantic

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Butch Adams
Blue Ridge, VA
http://daleridgechurchofchrist.net
http://mydailypause.org

Well stated. I agree completely. I especially like the part about insurance for the preacher

Brotherly,
Don

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Don Gelles,
Preacher, Church of Christ in Hyde Park
Austin, Texas
www.hydeparkcoc.org

You don't like the verse I posted!

I accept both...both say the same thing. One is a direction, one is an example. The reason I believe it is important is because it shows the assistance is coming from the "distribution" and we know the distribution mentioned is like that of in Acts and the distribution given to the widows.

I had already posted the Galatians 6:10 verse first anyway in the thread! So there!

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Butch Adams
Blue Ridge, VA
http://daleridgechurchofchrist.net
http://mydailypause.org

Craig, please stay in the thread we are presently in on this subject. All of this is being answered in this thread already.

FINE! I'm taking my Bible and going home...

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Don Gelles,
Preacher, Church of Christ in Hyde Park
Austin, Texas
www.hydeparkcoc.org

uh... I forgot.. I'm posting from home.

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Don Gelles,
Preacher, Church of Christ in Hyde Park
Austin, Texas
www.hydeparkcoc.org

brother Don,
I did some more study on the 2 Cor verse and agree that it is not as clear as the Gal verse. I conceed this point to you Don, the man crying in the corner with his thumb in his mouth and wearing a diaper.

It is still relevant but not quite as clear.

Craig,
Do you see we can agree in the Word?...we can be wrong and it is okay. We can change positions also because God want's us to be in His Way, not our own. If we could figure it out, we would have needed Jesus, The Word. I did not have to change my position per sae but would if found completely wrong.

The difference is that Don gave me a reason to change and see the Truth more clearly. He did not just keep repeating his position without any BCV.

In this case all the BCV you give is already agreed upon. All this truly is about is if God approves of those on both sides of this discussion can withdraw from each other and be pleasing to our Father in Christ.

Where in the world is Waldo... Uh, I mean Craig?

Oh wait...I forgot I am Don Windu...hold on let me use my Jedi powers...... I see....I seeeeee.... I see someone eating a big greasy slice of pepperoni pizza and drinking a Coke... I see.....wait...it's getting clearer....I see a man...sitting at a computer...yes, it's getting clearer....I see a man sitting at a computer typing....It's as clear as day now. I see a man sitting at a computer typing and he is wearing a Cleveland Indians baseball cap and eating a slice of pizza and drinking a Coke.... I see.....oh wait....that's me!

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Don Gelles,
Preacher, Church of Christ in Hyde Park
Austin, Texas
www.hydeparkcoc.org

I noticed he had not posted in this thread but tried to post again in another thread with the same statement he made in the beginning.

Are you still around Craig? I hope your not upset.

An announcement is made that money is being collected to help a poor Christian family move to our area for work as there is none where they live. Anyone who would like to give should give their gift to Brother X before a certain date. The money is not deposited into the church's bank account but is rather used directly to rent a UHaul and pay the motel and food costs for their move.

Question 1: is the collected money from the saints who chose to contribute (which is not all) part of "the treasury"? Why or why not?

Question 2: if the family being moved were not Christians but were engaged in a Bible study with your preacher, would this aid be sinful? Why or why not?

Please explain your answers with scripture.

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--Laura

O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
Jeremiah 10:23 (NKJV)

Laura,

The explaination I gave at #69 of this thread covers these questions properly.

...b

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Butch Adams
Blue Ridge, VA
http://daleridgechurchofchrist.net
http://mydailypause.org

I tend to think that is why the people were drawn to Jesus, “He went about doing good.” The most damaging thing a congregation can do is to wrap themselves into a cocoon type environment…brethren, this is not healthy. All the things or opportunities that come our way we ought to capitalize on them and in doing so we will bring “glory to God.”