1. BENEVOLENCE - HELPING THOSE IN NEED PHILIPPIANS 4:19 TEXT

2. Church Benevolence  Benevolence: “an inclination to do good; charitable”  Alien: “a foreigner; one not born of the water and spirit and therefore is not a child of God”  Saint: “one born of the water and spirit and therefore is a child of God, in the kingdom of God” Some Definitions

3. Church Benevolence  Local church: “a group of Christians in a locality who worship together regularly”  Sponsoring church: “one congregation that oversees a project, such as a mission activity, in which other congregations have an interest and to which they voluntarily contribute regularly” Some Definitions

4. Ways God Supplies our Needs  Genesis 2:8-9, 15-22 – In the beginning  Exodus 16:1-16 – Moses leadership

5.  Does the church operate in the field of Limited Benevolence (just take care of certain ones)? OR:  Does the church operate in the field of Unlimited Benevolence (care for all the world’s needy)? What is the work of the church in the area of Benevolence

6. What about the needs of men today?  Luke 10:25-37 – Love our neighbor  Matthew 5:43-48 – Love our enemies  Matthew 25:34-40 – Who entered the kingdom?  Acts 9:36-39 – Example of Dorcas

7. Church Benevolence GGGGod restricted the work of benevolence 2222 Thessalonians 3:10 EEEEach one is to be responsible for his own family 1111 Timothy 5:4, 8, 16 CCCCare of widows is restricted JJJJames 1:27 Majority of benevolent work to be done by individuals

8. ScriptureRelievedAdministered Relief SaintAlienOrphanLocalChurchSponsChurchBenevSociety The Benevolent Work of the Church Acts 2:44-45 Acts 4:32-35 Acts 6:1-6 Acts 11:27-30 Rom 15:25-32 1 Cor 16:1-3 2 Cor 8:1-4 2 Cor 9:1, 12 1 Tim 5:16 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

9. IndividualChurch To Its Own Church To Church(es) Church to Benevolent Org/Sponsoring Church Matt 5:43-48 Acts 2:44-45 Acts 11:27-30 ? Matt 25:35-40 Acts 4:32-35 Rom 15:25-32 ? Luke 10:30-37 Acts 6:1-6 1 Cor 16:1-3 ? Acts 9:36-39 1 Tim 5:16 2 Cor 8:1-4 ? Acts 20:34-35 2 Cor 9:1, 12 ? 1 Cor 16:15 ? Eph 4:28 ? 1 Tim 5:4, 16 ? 1 Tim 6:17-18 ? James 1:26-27 ? James 2:15-18 ? 1 John 3:17-18 ? New Testament Benevolence God’s Word PROVES That This IS Unquestionably Right!

10. CONCLUSION  How does God take care of the needs of his people?  We must fulfill our responsibility both individually and as the local church?  How does God bring the soul saving message of the gospel to men today?  The same way!!!