The title of this article is taken from II Thessalonians 3:10 (NKJV).  The entire verse, and it’s immediate context, is this: (II Thessalonians 3:10-12) “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should eat.  For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.  Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.”  Paul, in this context, says that those brethren who did not work in Thessalonica were walking disorderly.  Of course, walking disorderly also means they are subject to discipline (II Thessalonians 3:6).  Furthermore, those individuals not working were to be instructed to work and eat of their own bread.  Consider that if Paul says this of brethren, why do some give money or purchase goods for those outside of the body of Christ refusing to work?

     Today we have congregations that believe it is their duty to act as a social welfare organization.  Anyone walking in the door claiming to have a financial need is able to receive funds from those congregations.  Just recently I was having a discussion with a non-Christian that was doing some repair work at the building owned by the local church here in Butler, in which we assemble.  Our discussion occurred because I mentioned I was locking the door to keep the “riff raff” out.  He asked what I meant.  I told him that sometimes when I am at the building individuals will come from the bar around the corner, smelling as though they just had a drink or five, and ask for money because they are broke – and of course they have a starving child at home.  This repair man was amazed to know that people will come to the building or call to receive funds from the church.  He (a non-Christian) said “they should get a job and pay their own way.”  AMEN!  It is not the work of any local church to provide financial relief to those in the world.

     We establish “Bible Authority” by way of direct command (go and preach; Mark 16:15-16), approved example (house to house; Acts 5:42), and necessary inference (Mark 16:15-16 teaches believe, be baptized, be saved; with the implication that for one to believe they had to hear the Gospel).  We also arrive at authority to use tools (expediencies) to help carry out those commands (go and preach – how? - By way of newspaper, radio, TV, internet, inside a home, at a building brethren assemble in, etc.).  We also establish authority by following a pattern of things shown forth in the New Testament.  For example, Moses was to make the tabernacle and follow the pattern of things shown to him in the mount (Hebrews 8:5).  We sing instead of playing, in part, due to the fact that the pattern of New Testament song worship is vocal music (Matthew 26:30, Mark 14:26, Acts 16:25, I Corinthians 14:15, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, Hebrews 2:12, and James 5:13).  Thus, we realize that establishing patterns of work and worship to follow from the New Testament is significant in our obedience to God (II Timothy 1:13).

     When we look at the pattern of benevolence in the New Testament, as it relates to using the treasury of the local church, we find the pattern is local church to Christian(s).  Notice a few examples that make this abundantly clear: (Romans 15:25-26) “But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.  For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.”  (I Corinthians 16:1-3) “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.  Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.  And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.”  (II Corinthians 8:4; 9:1; 12-14)  8:4 “Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.  9:1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you.  9:12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 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 them, and unto all men; 14.  And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.”  How much clearer could the pattern be?

     Some debate occurs over II Corinthians 9:13 as it is quoted above.  Some contend that “all men” includes those outside the body of Christ.  The word “men” is in italics in the King James Version of the Bible, showing it has been added by the translators.  Secondly, even if the word “men” was not added, it is clear through the context that saints alone are the ones whom that term would apply to.  These are brethren who were affected by events such as Agabus prophesied about (Acts 11:27-30), in which there was famine and poverty affecting brethren.  These were not cases of benevolence in which brethren would not work.  These cases were not those of brethren who overextended their spending beyond their means.  These were genuine cases of brethren in need.  That is a whole lot different than a local church setting aside a set amount to distribute to the local drunk, the atheist, the Roman Catholic, the lazy bum who will not work, or even the nice lady down the road that has seven children, no husband, no job, and no food stamps left over.  Helping those outside of the body of Christ is not the work of a local church, just as it is not the work of the local church to provide for lazy brethren.  “But, we can send to ‘Orphan Homes’, right?”

     First off, we should note that emotionalism does not establish Scriptural Authority for anything.  Secondly, we need to establish that the Bible speaks to the individual Christian’s responsibility of caring for orphans.  If anyone is presented with the opportunity to aid a child who is left without individuals to care for them, they must take advantage of that blessed opportunity.  James wrote: (James 1:26-27) “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”  Clearly, James drew the individual out from the collective with the words “if any man among you”.  James is talking about the religion of an individual, not that of a collective local church.  Thus, we as Christians need to take advantage of any opportunity given to us to care individually for an orphan.

     The church is not a social welfare organization.  The local church is not to use her treasury to pay the bills of brethren who overspend.  A man who chooses a new boat, gun, golf set, TV, etc. over providing for his family is wrong.  The word of God states the following pertaining to this matter: (I Timothy 5:8) “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”  The local church is not authorized to aid from her treasury those outside of the body of Christ.  The local church is separated from the world, not responsible for aiding sinners in keeping from labor or supporting their habits of sin.  God does not answer the request of sinners (Isaiah 59:1-2), why should His Son’s body - the church?

     When I preached for a congregation (in my liberal days) that aided any and all who called, I began using a test.  I would ask those who called the church for money if they would be willing to do some work for fifteen to thirty dollars per hour (amount based upon their requests) payable through groceries, gas, or bill payment (not cash).  The jobs I proposed were simple tasks (mowing, cleaning, yard work, etc.).  Over the course of a year and one half I had NO takers.  I had men calling and saying their children were starving, that they were out of work and no one was hiring, but they would not lift a finger to provide.  To this day I still use that test, though I would not ask the local church to provide from her treasury.  I understand that I can help someone with my own funds (Acts 5:4 and I Timothy 5:16) and that I should (Galatians 6:10).  However, such is not the work of the local church collectively.

     The church of Christ is the house of God, the pillar and ground of the truth (I Timothy 3:15).  The church has a spiritual work to do.  The church is out to feed the lost with the word of God.  Some would argue that food could lead someone to Christ, to which I respond by citing John 6:25-27.   “General Benevolence” has its roots in Denominationalism, not in the New Testament.  Let us always seek after a “thus saith the Lord” (Matthew 28:20 and Colossians 3:17), instead of following the patterns that men set forth (Matthew 15:7-9)!