A. Nothing is more divisive in the churches of Christ
than the subject of how a church may use the money it collects.
B. In order to understand this subject properly and
obtain a measure of unity on the issue, let us consider the teachings on the matter
of the use of the church's money in three categories:
1.
The explicit
teachings of the Bible;
2.
The implicit
teachings of the Bible;
3.
The teachings of
men that are not found in the Bible.
II. THE EXPLICIT TEACHINGS OF THE BIBLE
A. By explicit commandment and example, the church is
authorized to collect and distribute money for the assistance of needy saints.
1.
Much more is
written in the New Testament concerning the church's work of benevolence than
is written about any other use of the church's money. These passages include the following: Acts
2:44-45; 4:32-35; 11:29-30; Romans 15:25-27; 1Corinthians 16:1-4; 2Corinthians
8:1-9:15; 1Timothy 5:3-16.
2.
Most of what is
written in these passages is about giving -- how to give, what to give, when to
give, etc.
3.
All of these passages
address the purpose of benevolence specifically toward needy saints.
a. New Testament Christians helped one another when there
was a need for essential provisions.
They did this for those in their immediate location (Acts 2:44-45;
4:32-35) and those in distant locations (Rom. 15:25-27; 1Cor. 16:1-4; 2Cor.
8:1-9:15).
b. Persons who receive assistance from the church have to
be properly qualified as faithful and truly in need, such as the widows
described in 1Timothy 5:3-16.
c.
In this work of
benevolence, the church is not to be unduly burdened (2Cor. 8:13-15).
d. Each brother has the responsibility of supporting
himself by working if he is able (2Thess. 3:6-15). The church is not to facilitate anyone's
laziness.
e.
Each family has
the primary responsibility for caring for their own (1Tim. 5:4, 8). The church is not to be burdened in order to
facilitate anyone's neglect.
B. Also by explicit commandment and example, the church
is authorized to collect and distribute money for the support of gospel preachers
in the work of evangelism.
1.
The principle of
supporting gospel preachers is stated in 1Corinthians 9:14 -- "So also the Lord
directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel."
a. The context of this passage goes back to the beginning
of the chapter, and verse 9 quotes Deuteronomy 25:4 to support the practice.
b. The mention of the Lord's direction appears to be a
reference to Luke 10:7.
2.
Elders may also
be supported by the church according to 1Timothy 5:17-18 -- "The elders who rule
well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work
hard at preaching and teaching. For the
Scripture says, 'You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,' and 'The laborer
is worthy of his wages.'"
a. Again, we see a quotation of Deuteronomy 25:4 to teach
the support of God's worker.
b. Here is another reference to Luke 10:7 with a direct
quotation.
3.
The apostle Paul
received such support from the church at Philippi while at Thessalonica and
other places (Phil. 4:14-19). However,
he declined to be supported by the Corinthian Christians while working with
them (1Cor. 9:9-12, 15-18).
III. THE IMPLICIT TEACHINGS OF THE BIBLE
A. The Bible implicitly authorizes the church to collect
and use money when necessary to carry out any of its God-given work and
responsibility.
1.
An implicit
authorization is one that is implied but not stated explicitly. We infer from passages that require the
church to perform certain works that those works are to be funded as needed.
2.
Men have often
described this way of establishing authority as "necessary inference."
B. By implication, the church is authorized to use money
to obtain a place for assembling.
1.
Many examples and
commandments in the Scriptures demonstrate that the church is to assemble (Acts
20:7; 1Cor. 5:4; 11:18; 14:26; Heb. 10:23-25; Jas. 2:2; etc.).
2.
The specific
place of assembly is not mandated by the Scriptures. Some New Testament churches met in houses,
some met in synagogues, and some in other places. The specific place is not important, but an
adequate place is necessary.
3.
Therefore, it is
implied that a church may obtain and maintain a place for assembly. Such a place may be borrowed, purchased, or
rented. When money is required, the
church is implicitly authorized to collect it from the members (see the pattern
of 1Cor. 16:1-2) and use it as needed.
4.
It is important
to understand that the place for the church's assembly is not sacred or holy,
for the church itself, not the building, is the temple of God (1Cor. 3:16-17;
Eph. 2:21-22). It can be any place that
is adequate, and it may have multiple uses.
Perhaps churches should consider whether it is wise to spend hundreds of
thousands of dollars on facilities that stand empty 97% of the time.
C. By implication, the church is authorized to use money
for teaching the truth.
1.
The church is
designated as "the pillar and support of the truth" (1Tim. 3:15). It has the unique work of disseminating the
truth of God to its members, its community, and the world.
2.
Therefore,
authority is implied for the collection and expenditure of money as is
necessary for the spreading and supporting of the truth according to the New
Testament pattern.
3.
We already
noticed that gospel preachers are to be supported, but this category may also
include the use of money for materials, facilities, media, and training
necessary to promote the truth.
D. By implication, the church is authorized to use money
for worship.
1.
In worship, the
church is to pray, sing, preach, and observe the Lord's Supper (Acts 2:42;
20:7; 1Cor. 11:17-34; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; 1Tim. 2:1; etc.).
2.
Therefore, any
expenses incurred in these works are to be appropriately funded by the
church. This would include Bibles, song
books, provisions for the Lord's Supper, etc.
IV. THE TEACHINGS OF MEN
A. Men have led churches to make use of money for some
things that are not in the scope of the church's God-given work and
responsibility.
1.
Everything we
have considered as a use of the church's money stems from the assigned works
given by the Lord to the church. All of
these are valid and authorized.
2.
Other uses of the
church's money may be convenient and pleasing to men, but if they are not in
the scope of the church's God-given work, then they must be omitted.
B. Consider a few examples of the uses of the church's
money that are neither explicitly taught nor implied in the Bible.
1.
The church is not
designated by the Lord to be a source of recreation. Therefore, it ought not to use its money for recreational
facilities or events. Consider Romans
14:17; 1Corinthians 11:34.
2.
The church is
given the specific work of ministering in a material way to needy saints, but
this work is not extended to the general public. Therefore, public food banks are not
supported, and the church is not to be burdened with paying expenses for
persons who are not saints.
3.
Each Christian
bears a responsibility to care for widows and orphans (Jas. 1:27), but the
church collectively is to be very limited in this work (see again 1Tim.
5:3-16). Therefore, orphanages and
retirement homes are not in the church's scope to fund.
4.
Such things as
these are often justified for the purposes of fellowship or drawing unbelievers
to Christ. However, the Scriptures give
no such justification for them.
Fellowship is a spiritual relationship (1John 1:1-7), and unbelievers
are drawn by the preaching of Christ (John 12:32; 1Cor. 2:2; 2Thess. 14).
V. CONCLUSION
A. Let us close with a few observations.
1.
Other than those
things discussed as explicit teachings of the Bible, the other matters here
require the judgment of Christians.
There is room for opinion in many of these matters, and no one should
condemn his brethren over matters of opinion (Rom. 14:10-13). If we disagree with the opinions of others,
then we do not have to participate with them in those matters.
2.
Each local church
is autonomous under the oversight of its own elders (Acts 20:28; 1Pet.
5:1-4). The business of each church is
for the members of that church and the Lord.
It is not for the rest of us to decide for them.
B. Let us pray to God that the divisions that exist
because of the church's use of money will soon be ended and the unity of the
Spirit will be restored in the Lord's church.
