The church of Jesus Christ, as she is envisioned in the New Testament, always takes care of her own.
On the day of Pentecost, a surge of new converts decided to leave their homes, jobs, and relocate to the city of Jerusalem. The reason is because the church in Jerusalem was the first and only Christ-following community on the planet at the time.
And the twelve apostles, who had lived with and were trained by Jesus, happened to live there.
To deal with the enormity of the situation . . . a massive influx of new converts without jobs or houses . . . the new church instinctively began to pool its individual resources together so everyone’s needs were met.*
All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Acts 2:44-45
Some have taken this one incidence as a standard for all other churches. They argue that because the church in Jerusalem “lived in common,” as it were, all other churches should go and do likewise. But there’s no evidence to suggest that any of the other churches did this in the first century.
However . . . and that’s a big “however” . . . the Jerusalem incident underscores a spiritual instinct that’s resident in the believing community and in the hearts of every true follower of the Lamb. An instinct that’s consistent throughout the entire New Testament: The church of Jesus Christ will do whatever it has to do in order to take care of its own.
In fact, the first three hundred years of church history highlights the incredible ability of the Christians to move money throughout the Roman Empire, to take care of their own, and to even help the poor around them (those who weren’t following Jesus).
In my country (the USA), we are facing an economic crisis. While the world looks to and waits for the government to solve our financial problems, I know many believers who are out of work. Some are struggling to put food on their tables each day.
Thankfully, the Lord has financially blessed some in the body of Christ today, and they are prospering despite the economic downturn.
When Paul of Tarsus approached the Corinthian Christians, who had prospered well beyond the saints in Jerusalem who were facing a major financial crisis, he made this statement:
At the present time your [the church in Corinth] plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their [the church in Jerusalem] plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.” 2 Cor. 8:14-15
Paul took up a collection from the Gentile churches he planted as a love gift for the church in Jerusalem, so as to help that church financially in a time of dire need.
In the same spirit, when Paul wrote to the Galatians, he said:
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers [the household of faith]. Gal. 6:10
All told: it’s on my heart today to say the following to every disciple of Jesus: If you are doing well financially, may I encourage you to seek the Lord regarding helping those who are hurting right now, especially those who part of the household of faith — your fellow sisters and brothers in Christ, members of the family of God?
I’m quite sure the Lord will put certain people on your heart to give to.
If you read my work, you know my stance about clergy salaries and building programs . . . things that didn’t come into the Christian faith until hundreds of years after the death of the apostles. Putting all that aside: the Lord’s people who are struggling to make ends meet at this present time need help. Perhaps your help.
Without getting into the details of my own routine for giving, what I’m writing here is something that I practice regularly myself. And so do the organic churches I work with. So I’m not challenging anyone to do that which I myself do not live out.
Of course, there’s much more to be said about money, finances, and giving. But this one point is what’s on my heart to share today with both my blog readers. 🙂 And it is one of the practical sides of the gospel of the Kingdom, as I see it.
May the body of Jesus Christ shine in this hour by taking care of its own (and those outside the camp as well) in a world where there is great distress all around.
If this post resonates with you at all, please share it with other believers.
*See The Untold Story for details on what happened in Jerusalem in A.D. 30.
Related:
Rethinking the Church
Frank. Do you think Paul asking these churches for support to Jerusalem was Paul’s idea or the Lords? It seems to me Paul didn’t do anything without direction (revelation).
Brian: Paul often operated by instinct, not by special revelation (see 1 Cor. 7 for instance). He said it was on his heart to help the poor saints in Jerusalem in Galatians. I believe God put it on his heart, as he often does with us regarding matters that are on His [God’s] own heart.
Frank, I appreciate this post very much as it addresses some questions my wife and I have been addressing. I’m literally weeks away from leaving my current ministry with no plans on returning to professional ministry. One of the questions my wife and I have struggled with is that of tithing. We do not have a body we are a part of at this time but I want to be open to sharing whatever we do have with people in need. I’m done paying for buildings to support an inauthentic mutation of God’s body.
Interestingly, I understand that there are in then county in which I live in the UK something like 500 salaried fulltime christian workers. There combined incomes must be between 7.5 and 10 million a year – more than enough to feed and clothe and possibly house as well, all those who are recession hit in this county. Fascinating statistic.
Frank,
Thanks for the biblical, gentle call to help our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Instead of backbiting and arguing over petty issues, we need to show our love for each other. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).
I have been pondering this lately. Everyone in the early church in Jerusalem came together instinctively to provide for the needs of one another- not by a command or under compulsion.
However, the love of God within them compelled them to help their fellow members in Christ. They responded to the gospel of the Kingdom in a practical way, laying down the pursuit of their own personal kingdoms exemplified by Barnabas. When we realize that our lives are not our own but are the Lord’s and for His purpose then everything in this life grows strangely dim and the drive to attain takes a back seat.
This is so very practical. They were together in one place and their hearts were in one accord. That was the heart condition of those saints as the Spirit came upon them. They were consumed with Christ and His life and couldn’t help but share that with others not just in word but also in deed. “let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth” 1 Jn 3:18
The so called American way which is just an expression of the world’s system does not espouse this at all and hinders the expression of the love and life of Christ in so many Christians today. May the Lord continue to awaken us to the reality of Himself as the all in all.
Recently, my family and I were greatly refreshed by the generosity of the saints that we meet with in an organic expression of the Church. Our family was in great need and as we waited and trusted in the Lord He provided for us through His body in a most amazing way. We will never forget and it will serve as a sign post for us for the rest of our lives to the faithfulness of Christ and the love of the saints.
As they say, “This is where the rubber meets the road.”
Frank,
I agree wholeheartedly with your comments here. I am convinced that the love for one another is one of the chief means, if not THE chief means that we demonstrate to the world that Jesus is indeed alive and who is says he is. I think Jesus’ prayer in John 17:20-23 confirms this when he says “…I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
I believe we’re entering a time when our country, if not the entire world, is going to be very cut-throat about their own personal survival. When we love one another this way, we’re supernaturally counter-culture in a way that demonstrates the love of Christ.
I would add this… let’s also be prepared to love our neighbors who aren’t in the body this way too ( as Jesus directs of course).
Thanks for the exhortation!
Thanks frank for this post. Down in lagos nigeria ,the recession is real but some of us are still very fortunate. Cable tv. Eating out ete etc. Thanks for pointing the light on our to show compassion. God bless you
I personally can speak to this from a recent experience. The body of believers my family I meet with helped us out when our 1 and only car broke down. It took 800 bucks to fix the car and we had been trying to save up to move to a rental home and away from our apartment. Needless to say our moving money went to the car. This year has also been tough medically with the birth of my son, my wife needing surgery and then my son needing surgery. We were not sure where this would come from. But, because of the organic expression of the body Christ, they knew our needs and they took the money that had been given to our group for helping other people not tied to our group and gave it to us to help with all of these bills. It wasn’t a ton, but to me and my family it felt like a million dollars.
great insight kat. your comment goes hand in hand with 1 john 3:16-18; ‘This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.’
The “spiritual instinct” you speak of brother Frank is LOVE.
It ALWAYS come to Love. Love is the basis of His expression within us. It is Love in, for, with, and of Jesus Christ that dawns the One Another of us. It is the Love Light of Life—Jesus Christ Himself who by we love one another as Christ loves us. It is the very same Love living in our hearts Who laid down His earthly flesh to the point of agonizing death, the Love Who gave us Life. May we all see the face of our Lord Jesus in order to see through His eyes of Love as we see one another in Him, and through Him to truly and purely love one another. LOVE.
Thank you brother Frank for this most dire word of Love Today.
Kat
amen frank. being able to participate in the divine nature in the way of giving and receiving from one another is one of the greatest freedoms we can exercise in Christ. it is truly humbling to experience the faithfulness of God, as we get a glimpse into the glory of what is expressed between the fellowship of the Godhead. thank you for encouraging us in the way of love.
I was still musing on the blog, “Rethinking the Church and Culture”, and was desperate to know if God had other ways for us to help our church family find their true freedom in Christ – alone.
I believe today’s blog is one answer.
Money is a costly gift, and using it to help others, in a Spirit led manner, will speak volumes about the DNA of organic church life and more light will shine. I’m so glad you shared your heart today Frank.
Frank,
Thank you for this word of encourgaement to reach out and help people. In the first few centuries of the church’s existence, acts of sacrificial love were often the catalysts for people being drawn to Christ. I hope the church can respond now in these tough times in such a way that people will take note. May god open my eyes to someone I can help.
Amen!
One of the tremendous blessings of being outside the traditional church is the ability it gives you to obey the Lord in this area. If your brother or sister in Christ is in need, you are able to help out financially, because your “tithe”, or whatever amount one chooses to set aside for His purposes is not obligated anywhere but to Him.