I. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LOCAL ASSEMBLY
A. Edify one another (Ephesians 4:11-16, 5:18-21)
B. Gospel to be taught
1. Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) – All Need the Gospel!
2. The example of Timothy (1 Timothy 4:15-16)
C. Provide for it’s own – Acts 6:1-7, 1 Timothy 5:3-18 – The priority is still to edify and teach; not to be burdened taking care of those who could be taken care of by family.
D. Provide for needy saints in other places (Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-35, 11:27-30, Romans 15:25-27, 2 Cor. 9:5-15, Phil. 4:14-19)
E. Encourage Christians to fulfill their individual and congregational responsibilities (Heb. 10:24-25)
II. INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY
A. Provide for the stranger, the fatherless, the widow (Dt. 24:17, 21, Gal. 6:1-10)
B. Provide for the poor, fatherless, helpless, widow, blind, lame, victim (Job 29:11-17, Malachi 3:5, Gal. 2:10)
C. Provide for the needy (Acts 4:32-37, 6:1-7, Eph. 4:28)
D. Provide food, drink, clothes, shelter (Matt. 25:31-46)
E. Visit orphans, widows, prisoners (Matt. 25:36, James 1:27)
F. Provide for our neighbor (Matt. 5:43, Lk. 6:27-36, 10:36-37, Romans 13:9, Eph. 4:28)
G. Preach and Teach (Acts 5:42, 8:4, 35, 20:20, 28:30-31, James 5:19-20)
H. Give the gospel (2 Tim. 4:2, 1 Peter 3:15-17)
I. Love our enemy (Matthew 5:44)
J. The example of Peter (Acts 3:1-11, Mark 1:29-31)
K. Provide for our own family (1 Tim. 5:8, 2 Thes. 3:10)
L. Give with the love of God (1 John 3:17-18)
III. HOW SHOULD WE GIVE?
A. First we must gives ourselves to the Lord (2 Corinthians 8:5-14)
B. We must share because almost all of us are rich (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
C. When we give it should not only be money
1. individual ability (Acts 11:29-30)
2. love (1 Corinthians 13:3, 13)
3. using opportunity (Galatians 6:10, Acts 3:1-10)
4. give of ourselves (money could be a part but should not be all)
5. time (Jesus – Luke 5:29-32, 7:29-30).
D. Many blessings come from giving to others (Is. 58:10, Acts 20:33-35, Heb. 13:16).