• Consider some arguments which have been made, continued:
    • II Corinthians 9:13 - “Paul said the money went to ‘them’ (needy saints) and to ‘all’ (others).”
      • The context includes more than just giving.
      • Acts 10:28; 11:1; Galatians 2:11-13 – The prejudice between Jews and Gentiles.
      • Romans 15:5,27 – Paul was trying to make the point in II Corinthians that Gentiles were sending money back to help the Jews.
      • All the other verses referencing sending money from the church was to help needy saints. This passage is talking about both the money and the message that was sent. The message was sent to all Jewish saints.
    • “Even the Old Covenant provided for the needy, and the New Covenant is better than the Old Covenant.”
      • The Old Covenant dictated civil authority while the New Covenant does not. The New Covenant does provide for needy people, just not through the church.
    • Galatians 6:10 – “The church should ‘do good to all people,’ not just Christians.”
      • Although the letter of Galatians was written to churches, this particular verse is addressing individuals.
      • In this context, it’s the spiritual good of helping to beat the burden of one caught in a trespass. We ought to use every chance we get to help people overcome sin, especially our brethren (cf. James 5:19-20).
      • This verse is addressing spiritual things and not material things.