1. Who has Christ authorized His church to help financially and for what purposes? It is a privilege to help the needy and to support those who spread the gospel in accordance with the decrees of our King!

2. For Something to Be Authorized...
It must come from God through Christ and His apostles (Matthew 28:18-20; Eph. 2:20)
It will be expressed in one of three ways:
Command (2 Peter 3:1-2; 1 Corinthians 14:37)
Example (Philippians 3:17; 4:9; 1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1)
Necessary
Implication (Hebrews 10:25)

3. Key Principles of Authorization
Silence Prohibits (2 John 9; Acts 15:24; Hebrews 7:14)
General VS. Specific authorization
Aids VS. Additions

4. Authorized Help for Evangelists
Support may come from individuals (Gal. 6:6, 10)
Churches are also authorized to support preachers (Philippians 4:15- 16; 2 Corinthians 11:8)
Evangelists have a right to be supported by churches (to “live of the gospel”), and therefore churches have a right to supply their living! (1 Corinthians 9:1-15)
Authorized Help for Evangelists

5. Authorized Help for a Place to Assemble
Churches are authorized to have a place to assemble for edification (Hebrews 10:25; 1 Cor. 14:26)
There is no authorization for one church to fund another church’s place to assemble.
Authorized Help for a Place to Assemble

6. Authorized Help for Needy Saints
Churches are authorized to help needy saints (1 Corinthians 16:1; Romans 15:25-26; Acts 4:32-35; 6:1; 11:29-30; Corinthians 8 & 9)
Help is given according to need (Acts 2:45; 4:34-35; 11:28-29)
Food, clothing, shelter (James 2:15-16; Matthew 6:31-32)
Medical care (Matthew 9:12)
Authorized Help for Needy Saints

7. Helping Evangelists and Needy Saints is an Authorized Privilege of Fellowship!
Paul thanked God for the Philippians’ “fellowship in the gospel” (Philippians 1:3-7)
Churches helping needy saints resulted “in many thanksgivings to God (2 Corinthians 9:12)