Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Alms » Instances of giving » The early Christians
All that believed were united together, and had all things in common, so that they sold their possessions and goods, and distributed the money to every one as his occasions required.
for there was no poor among them, because as many as bad lands or houses, sold them, and brought the value, which they laid down at the apostles feet: and they distributed it to every man as his occasions required. among the rest one Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (that is to say, the son of consolation) a Levite, and a native of Cyprus, read more.
sold an estate he had, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles feet.
sold an estate he had, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles feet.
At that time, as the number of the disciples was multiplied, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the distribution that was made daily. the twelve therefore assembled all the disciples, and said, it is not fit that we should leave the word of God, to mind what relates to your meals. wherefore, brethren, chuse out of your number seven persons of good reputation, full of the holy spirit and wisdom, who may have the management of this affair:
then the disciples determin'd to send, each of them answerably to his abilities, some relief to the brethren residing in Judea: which they actually perform'd, and sent it by the hands of Saul and Barnabas to the presbyters at Jerusalem.
after several years absence I came to Jerusalem, with contributions for my brethren, and oblations for the temple:
but now I am going to Jerusalem, to distribute charity to the converts. for those of Macedonia and Achaia, have thought fit to make a contribution for the poor converts at Jerusalem. they have thought fit, I say, and they owed them as much. for if the Gentiles have participated of their spirituals, they are bound on their side to minister to them in their temporals. read more.
when I have dispatch'd this affair, and have secur'd to them this collection, I will come to you in my way to Spain.
when I have dispatch'd this affair, and have secur'd to them this collection, I will come to you in my way to Spain.
Now as to the collection for the converts at Jerusalem, do as I have directed for the churches of Galatia. every sabbath-day let every one of you set apart something of what he has happily gain'd, for the common treasury, that there may be no collection when I come. and when I come, I shall send such as you shall approve of, who will convey letters, and your kind present to Jerusalem. read more.
and if it be so considerable as to induce me to go, they shall accompany me.
and if it be so considerable as to induce me to go, they shall accompany me.
I must acquaint you, brethren, with the contribution which the churches of Macedonia have religiously made, who tho' labouring under great trial of affliction, and extreme poverty, have notwithstanding with exceeding cheerfulness contributed very liberally: being forward of themselves to the utmost of their power, (I bear them witness) yea, and beyond their power: read more.
earnestly intreating me to take the gift, and the charge of conveying it to the converts at Jerusalem:
earnestly intreating me to take the gift, and the charge of conveying it to the converts at Jerusalem:
As to the relief of the converts, it is superfluous for me to write to you.
for God is too just to his promise not to regard your piety, and the love which you have shewn to the christian religion by the assistance ye have given to the saints, and still continue to give.
Liberality » Instances of » Christians » In corinth
but was chosen by the churches to accompany me with this collection; which service I undertook for the sake of Christ, and to encourage your generous design.
As to the relief of the converts, it is superfluous for me to write to you. for I know your generous propensity, and I mention'd it with applause to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; so that your zeal has influenc'd many others. yet have I sent the brethren, that my character of you may not appear to be groundless, with respect to that part wherein I said, ye would be ready: read more.
for if the Macedonians should come with me, and find you unprepared, how shall I, not to say you, be ashamed for having had so little ground to boast of you? I thought it therefore necessary to counsel the brethren to go before, and settle the management of the contribution by this previous notice, that it might have such dispatch, as shows a bountiful, and not a niggardly temper. remember, " he who sows sparingly, shall reap also sparingly: and he who sows bountifully, shall reap also bountifully." let every man give as he is disposed in his own mind, without any regret or reluctance: for God loves a cheerful benefactor. and God is able to make every charitable gift redound to your advantage; that being always sufficiently supply'd in every thing, you may excel in every good work: as it is written, " he hath distributed, he hath given to the poor: his liberality remaineth for ever." now he that furnishes seed to the sower, and bread for food, shall furnish and multiply what you sow, and increase the fruits of your liberality. so that being enriched in every thing, you may be continually beneficent to the glory of God by our thanksgiving. for the execution of this charitable office, does not only supply the necessities of the converts, but by the thanksgivings of many redounds also to the glory of God. having this proof of you by such a supply, they will glorify God for your profess'd subjection to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution to them as well as others;
for if the Macedonians should come with me, and find you unprepared, how shall I, not to say you, be ashamed for having had so little ground to boast of you? I thought it therefore necessary to counsel the brethren to go before, and settle the management of the contribution by this previous notice, that it might have such dispatch, as shows a bountiful, and not a niggardly temper. remember, " he who sows sparingly, shall reap also sparingly: and he who sows bountifully, shall reap also bountifully." let every man give as he is disposed in his own mind, without any regret or reluctance: for God loves a cheerful benefactor. and God is able to make every charitable gift redound to your advantage; that being always sufficiently supply'd in every thing, you may excel in every good work: as it is written, " he hath distributed, he hath given to the poor: his liberality remaineth for ever." now he that furnishes seed to the sower, and bread for food, shall furnish and multiply what you sow, and increase the fruits of your liberality. so that being enriched in every thing, you may be continually beneficent to the glory of God by our thanksgiving. for the execution of this charitable office, does not only supply the necessities of the converts, but by the thanksgivings of many redounds also to the glory of God. having this proof of you by such a supply, they will glorify God for your profess'd subjection to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution to them as well as others;
Tact » Paul » In stimulating benevolent giving
I must acquaint you, brethren, with the contribution which the churches of Macedonia have religiously made, who tho' labouring under great trial of affliction, and extreme poverty, have notwithstanding with exceeding cheerfulness contributed very liberally: being forward of themselves to the utmost of their power, (I bear them witness) yea, and beyond their power: read more.
earnestly intreating me to take the gift, and the charge of conveying it to the converts at Jerusalem: and in this they out-did my expectation; such was the divine pleasure, they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then made me an offer to go themselves to Corinth. I therefore desired Titus, as he had begun, to finish this contribution among you. that as you excel in every thing, in faith, in language, mystical knowledge, in all virtue, and in your affection to us; I hope you will excel too in this charitable disposition. I don't mean to prescribe to you, but that the zeal of others may show you are as sincerely well-affected.
earnestly intreating me to take the gift, and the charge of conveying it to the converts at Jerusalem: and in this they out-did my expectation; such was the divine pleasure, they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then made me an offer to go themselves to Corinth. I therefore desired Titus, as he had begun, to finish this contribution among you. that as you excel in every thing, in faith, in language, mystical knowledge, in all virtue, and in your affection to us; I hope you will excel too in this charitable disposition. I don't mean to prescribe to you, but that the zeal of others may show you are as sincerely well-affected.
As to the relief of the converts, it is superfluous for me to write to you. for I know your generous propensity, and I mention'd it with applause to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; so that your zeal has influenc'd many others. yet have I sent the brethren, that my character of you may not appear to be groundless, with respect to that part wherein I said, ye would be ready: read more.
for if the Macedonians should come with me, and find you unprepared, how shall I, not to say you, be ashamed for having had so little ground to boast of you? I thought it therefore necessary to counsel the brethren to go before, and settle the management of the contribution by this previous notice, that it might have such dispatch, as shows a bountiful, and not a niggardly temper.
for if the Macedonians should come with me, and find you unprepared, how shall I, not to say you, be ashamed for having had so little ground to boast of you? I thought it therefore necessary to counsel the brethren to go before, and settle the management of the contribution by this previous notice, that it might have such dispatch, as shows a bountiful, and not a niggardly temper.