• Matthew 22:36
  • Loving our neighbors: helping those in need
    • Matthew 5:38-42
    • Luke 14:12-14; 10:27-37 – Make sure you are helping with the right motive. Do not help just to be seen by others, although sometimes others may see your good works and glorify God.
    • Acts 10:1-4; James 1:27
    • I Timothy 6:17-19
    • “Nobody gets to Heaven without a letter of reference from the poor.” – James Forbes
  • Loving God: following His plan for benevolence
    • The Bible makes a distinction between individual action and church action. I Timothy 5:16
      • An individual may help through money (Luke 10:35; Acts 10:4)
      • An individual may help through action (Luke 10:34; James 1:27)
      • A church can help its own needy members (Acts 4:32-35).
      • A church can send money to another church so that it can help its own needy members (I Corinthians 16:1-4).
      • But a church does not have authority to offer benevolence to the general public.
        • Acts 11:27-30
      • Also, a church cannot reorganize.
    • The wisdom of God’s plan
      • Philippians 1:27
      • John 6:34-35