Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Alms » Instances of giving » The early Christians
The believers all shared everything they had with one another, and sold their property and belongings, and divided the money with all the rest, according to their special needs.
No one among them was in any want, for any who owned lands or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sale and put them at the disposal of the apostles; then they were shared with everyone in proportion to his need. Joseph, a Levite, and a native of Cyprus, whom the apostles had named Barnabas, which means Son of Encouragement, read more.
sold a piece of land that belonged to him, and brought the proceeds and put them at the disposal of the apostles.
sold a piece of land that belonged to him, and brought the proceeds and put them at the disposal of the apostles.
In those days, as the number of the disciples was increasing, complaints were made by the Greek-speaking Jews against the native Jews that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve called in the whole body of disciples and said to them, "It is not desirable that we should give up preaching the word of God to keep accounts. You, brothers, must pick out from your number seven men of good standing, who are wise and full of the Spirit, and we will put them in charge of this matter,
The disciples determined to make up a contribution, each according to his ability, and send it to the brothers who lived in Judea, and this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
After an absence of several years, I had come to bring charitable donations for my nation, and to offer sacrifice.
Just now I am starting for Jerusalem, to take help to God's people. For Macedonia and Greece have determined to make a contribution for the poor among God's people in Jerusalem. They determined to do it, and they really are indebted to them, for if the heathen have shared their spiritual blessings, they ought to do them a service in material ways. read more.
So when I have finished this matter, and seen this contribution safely into their possession, I will start for Spain, and come to you on the way,
So when I have finished this matter, and seen this contribution safely into their possession, I will start for Spain, and come to you on the way,
About the collection for God's people, I want you to do as I told the churches of Galatia to do. On the first of every week each of you is to put aside and store up whatever he gains, so that money will not have to be collected after I come. When I come I will send whatever persons you authorize with credentials, to carry your gift to Jerusalem. read more.
And if it seems worth while for me to go myself, they can go with me.
And if it seems worth while for me to go myself, they can go with me.
I must tell you, brothers, how the favor of God has been shown in the churches of Macedonia, for in spite of a severe ordeal of trouble, their extraordinary gladness, combined with their extreme poverty, has overflowed in a wealth of generosity. For they have given to the utmost of their ability, as I can bear them witness, and beyond it, read more.
and begged me most earnestly, of their own accord, to let them share in the support of their fellow-Christians.
and begged me most earnestly, of their own accord, to let them share in the support of their fellow-Christians.
It is really unnecessary for me to write to you about this fund for your fellow-Christians,
For God is not so unjust as to forget the work you have done and the love you have showed for his cause, in giving help to your fellow-Christians as you still do.
Liberality » Instances of » Christians » In corinth
What is more, he has been appointed by the churches to travel with me in the interests of this generous undertaking, which I am superintending to honor the Lord and to show our readiness to help.
It is really unnecessary for me to write to you about this fund for your fellow-Christians, for I know how willing you are to help in it; I boast of you for it to the people in Macedonia, telling them that Greece has been ready since last year, and your enthusiasm has been a stimulus to most of them. But I send the brothers so that our pride in you may not have a fall in this matter, but you may be all ready as I have told them you will; read more.
for if some people from Macedonia come with me, and find that you are not ready, it will humiliate me??o say nothing of you??or having expressed such confidence. So I have thought it necessary to ask these brothers to go on to you ahead of me, to arrange in advance for this gift you have promised, so as to have it ready, like an expression of your good will, not of your avarice. Remember this: The man who sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and the man who sows generously will reap generously. Everyone must give what he has made up his mind to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion; God loves a man who is glad to give. God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance so that you will always have enough for every situation, and ample means for every good enterprise: as the Scripture says, "He scatters his gifts to the poor; His uprightness will never be forgotten." He who supplies the sower with seed and so with bread to eat will supply you with seed, and multiply it and enlarge the harvest of your uprightness. You will grow rich in every way, so that through me you can show perfect liberality that will make men thank God for it. For the rendering of this service does more than supply the wants of God's people; it results in a wealth of thanksgiving to God. The way you stand the test of this service must do honor to God, through your fidelity to what you profess as to the good news of Christ, and through the liberality of your contributions for them and for all others;
for if some people from Macedonia come with me, and find that you are not ready, it will humiliate me??o say nothing of you??or having expressed such confidence. So I have thought it necessary to ask these brothers to go on to you ahead of me, to arrange in advance for this gift you have promised, so as to have it ready, like an expression of your good will, not of your avarice. Remember this: The man who sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and the man who sows generously will reap generously. Everyone must give what he has made up his mind to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion; God loves a man who is glad to give. God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance so that you will always have enough for every situation, and ample means for every good enterprise: as the Scripture says, "He scatters his gifts to the poor; His uprightness will never be forgotten." He who supplies the sower with seed and so with bread to eat will supply you with seed, and multiply it and enlarge the harvest of your uprightness. You will grow rich in every way, so that through me you can show perfect liberality that will make men thank God for it. For the rendering of this service does more than supply the wants of God's people; it results in a wealth of thanksgiving to God. The way you stand the test of this service must do honor to God, through your fidelity to what you profess as to the good news of Christ, and through the liberality of your contributions for them and for all others;
Tact » Paul » In stimulating benevolent giving
I must tell you, brothers, how the favor of God has been shown in the churches of Macedonia, for in spite of a severe ordeal of trouble, their extraordinary gladness, combined with their extreme poverty, has overflowed in a wealth of generosity. For they have given to the utmost of their ability, as I can bear them witness, and beyond it, read more.
and begged me most earnestly, of their own accord, to let them share in the support of their fellow-Christians. They did far more than I hoped, for first in obedience to God's will, they gave themselves to the Lord, and to me. This has led me to urge Titus to complete the arrangements he had formerly begun among you for this gracious undertaking. Just as you excel in everything else??aith, expression, knowledge, perfect devotion, and the love we have awakened in you??ou must excel in this generous undertaking too. I do not mean this as a command. I only want to test the genuineness of your love by the devotion of others.
and begged me most earnestly, of their own accord, to let them share in the support of their fellow-Christians. They did far more than I hoped, for first in obedience to God's will, they gave themselves to the Lord, and to me. This has led me to urge Titus to complete the arrangements he had formerly begun among you for this gracious undertaking. Just as you excel in everything else??aith, expression, knowledge, perfect devotion, and the love we have awakened in you??ou must excel in this generous undertaking too. I do not mean this as a command. I only want to test the genuineness of your love by the devotion of others.
It is really unnecessary for me to write to you about this fund for your fellow-Christians, for I know how willing you are to help in it; I boast of you for it to the people in Macedonia, telling them that Greece has been ready since last year, and your enthusiasm has been a stimulus to most of them. But I send the brothers so that our pride in you may not have a fall in this matter, but you may be all ready as I have told them you will; read more.
for if some people from Macedonia come with me, and find that you are not ready, it will humiliate me??o say nothing of you??or having expressed such confidence. So I have thought it necessary to ask these brothers to go on to you ahead of me, to arrange in advance for this gift you have promised, so as to have it ready, like an expression of your good will, not of your avarice.
for if some people from Macedonia come with me, and find that you are not ready, it will humiliate me??o say nothing of you??or having expressed such confidence. So I have thought it necessary to ask these brothers to go on to you ahead of me, to arrange in advance for this gift you have promised, so as to have it ready, like an expression of your good will, not of your avarice.