• The local church is independent. It is not dependent on other local churches.
  • Definitions
    • Basic needs: that necessary for self-functioning, preservation
    • Total capacity: all the unit can do
    • Abundance: that by which total capacity exceeds basic needs
    • Want: that by which basic needs exceeds total capacity
  • Acts 11:27-30 - Relief sent from the brethren in Antioch to the elders in Judea.
  • I Corinthians 16:1-2 - Churches with abundance sent contributions to churches with needy members. The contributions were sent to the church and not directly to the individual.
  • Philippians 4:15-16 - In evangelism, contributions were sent directly from churches to an individual preacher.
  • Nowhere in the Bible is it authorized for one church with abundance to send to another church with abundance.