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BENEVOLENCE
I. Introduction
A. We are the most
benevolent nation?
1. OUR
GOVERNMENT
builds hospitals and
highways - Sends money to all the developing nations -
Has developed the largest social
"give-away" programs for the poor - etc........
THAT'S THE GOVERNMENT.....Not the people!!
2. THE CITIZENS
(i.e. like You and Me)
a. Leave
our responsibility to the government
1) Think
of what it would be like if everyone looked out for his family and neighbors
- instead of looking for the proper government agency!!
2) How
much more could our government do that it is designed to do??
b. When the government ASSUMES the responsibility - it creates a
society where people stop doing what they should be doing for themselves and
their families..... THIS IS NOT JUST THE POOR CLASS,
EITHER!
B. Compare to the
countries who only have poor.....the government has no help....they help themselves
and each other
1. Are we the
most benevolent nation?
a. We
give our "throw-aways" to the Good Will and
call that benevolence
b. We
throw a check at some charity.....and call that benevolence
c. We
put our elderly in the most modern nursing homes available
2. What about
the other countries - too poor to be benevolent....
a. They
share the half a loaf of bread and the two cups of rice that they have been blessed
with the family next door.
b. They
don't have nursing homes......they don't need them....they care for their own
c. One of the things that TV has done for us has shown us the other side.....and we
turn the dial - we can't bear to look -
we ought to be ashamed.
C. This lesson is not
POLITICAL it is about BENEVOLENCE
II. Personal
A. "Charity begins at home" - Usually means "I can't give....I
have things I need, too."
"I gave at
the office" - I've fulfilled my obligation
B. Giving
1. When? Every opportunity
(Gal
a. Every
"bonofide" opportunity
NOT-beggars & panhandlers &
freeloaders
(2 Thess
b. EVERY TIME you see someone that you can
help - help them
have only one slice of bread? - give them half
2. Why?
a. Compassion
- (Acts 20:35 NASB) "In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner
you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He
Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"......Don't
forget the Good Samaritan....Luke 10 ....James 2:...8,
13-16
b. Commanded - (Gal
(James
(1
Tim
(Eph
(2 Cor 9:6 NASB) Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall
also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall
also reap bountifully.
c. Not for any return....
1) financially - or
repayment
2) (Mat 6:1-4 NASB) "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by
them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. When therefore you give alms, do not sound a
trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets,
that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in
full. But when you give alms, do not let
your left hand know what your right hand is doing that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in
secret will repay you."
3. What? Responsibility
a. To family first - (1 Tim 5:8 NASB) But if anyone does not
provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied
the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
(1
Tim
1) Not the government or the church
3) Not Corban
(Matthew 15)
2) Until ability is exhausted
b. To Christians next.....(Gal
c. To others ....(Gal
4. How?
a. "ABILITY" - (Acts
1) one piece of
bread - share
2) when we can't do
any more - THEN enlist help from others
a) government
agencies (our taxes pay for this)...
NEVER
MEANT TO TAKE THE PLACE OF OUR RESPONSIBILITIES - and we don't stop sharing
our bread!!
b) the church
NEVER
MEANT TO TAKE THE PLACE OF OUR RESPONSIBILITIES - and we don't stop helping
C. God's
Promises
1. (Eccl 11:1 NASB) Cast your bread on the surface of the waters,
for you will find it after many days.
2. (Gal 6:7-10 NASB) Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap
corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal
life. And let us not lose heart in
doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we
do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good
to all men, and especially to those who
are of the household of the faith.
3. Judgement scene of Matt. 25....
a. Wise & foolish virgins....not
prepared when the Lord returned....
"They
that were ready went in with him to the marriage"
to the others..."I don't know you"
(Mat 25:13
NASB) "Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day
nor the hour.
(KJVadds "wherein
the son of Man cometh.")
b. Talents....5....2....1
5 & 2 (Mat 25:21 NASB) "His master said to him, 'Well done, good
and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in
charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master.'
1...."cast into outer darkness" WHY?? DID not used what he
had been given charge
over
c. sheep & goats
based upon their benevolence......as unto HIM
Comp. to
James 2:13... For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy
triumphs over judgment......WHAT DOES THIS MEAN??
III. Church
A. Purpose
of the church
1. Spiritual in all aspects - preach the
gospel - equip & edify the saints
2. Take care of the truly needy
a) those without
family - i.e. widows & orphans
b) NOT BUILD AN AGENCY TO DO IT!!
3. Fulfil Matthew 6
B. Responsibility
1. Only to Christians
2. Only to NEEDY Christians
a. "Unable" to take care of self -
no resources
b. No family to take care of them - or
family has exhausted means
3. Apply to all equally - Look at how much they have put
"in"
a. No matter how long a Christian - charter
members
b. Have been big contributors?
C. NOT
DRIVEN BY COMPASSION
1. Members compassionate - YES!
2. Church cannot act outside of "rules"
a. Jesus' money - not ours
b. "Poor you always have with you"
c. Compare
business meetings - compassion rules -
(We've made mistakes)
d. to elders - make decisions based upon the
word -
not compassion
1) Honor
elders...this is hard!!