Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Alms » Instances of giving » The early Christians
And all that believed kept themselves together, and had all things common. And sold their possessions and goods, and departed them to all men, as every man had need.
Neither was there any among them that lacked. For as many as were possessors of lands or houses, sold them and brought the price of the things that were sold, and laid it down at the apostles' feet. And distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joseph, which was also called of the apostles Barnabas - that is to say, the son of consolation - being a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, read more.
had land, and sold it, and laid the price down at the apostles' feet.
had land, and sold it, and laid the price down at the apostles' feet.
In those days, as the number of the disciples grew, there arose a grudge among the Greeks against the Hebrews, because their widows were despised in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples together and said, "It is not meet that we should leave the word of God and serve at the tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, and full of the holy ghost and wisdom, which we may appoint to this needful business:
Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, purposed to send succour unto the brethren which dwelt in Jewry, which thing they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
"But after many years, I came and brought alms to my people and offerings,
Now go I unto Jerusalem, and minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia, to make a certain distribution upon the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them verily, and their debtors are they. For if the gentiles be made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is to minister unto them in carnal things. read more.
When I have performed this, and have brought them this fruit sealed, I will come back again by you into Spain.
When I have performed this, and have brought them this fruit sealed, I will come back again by you into Spain.
Of the gathering for the saints, as I have ordained in the congregations of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon some Sunday, let every one of you put aside at home, and lay up whatsoever he thinketh meet, that there be no gatherings when I come. When I am come, whosoever ye shall allow by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. read more.
And if it be meet that I go, they shall go with me.
And if it be meet that I go, they shall go with me.
I do you to wit, brethren, of the grace of God, which is given in the congregations of Macedonia: how that the abundance of their rejoicing is, that they are tried with much tribulation. And thereto, though they were exceeding poor, yet have they given exceeding richly, and that in singleness. For to their powers - I bear them record - yea and beyond their power, they were willing of their own accord, read more.
and prayed us with great instance, that we would receive their benefit, and suffer them to be partakers with others in ministering to the saints.
and prayed us with great instance, that we would receive their benefit, and suffer them to be partakers with others in ministering to the saints.
Of the ministering to the saints, it is but superfluous for me to write unto you:
For God is not unrighteous that he should forget your work and labour that proceedeth of love, which love showed in his name, which have ministered unto the saints, and yet minister.
Liberality » Instances of » Christians » In corinth
and not so only, but is also chosen of the congregations to be a fellow with us in our journey, as concerning this benevolence that is ministered by us unto the praise of the Lord, and to stir up your prompt mind.
Of the ministering to the saints, it is but superfluous for me to write unto you: for I know your readiness of mind, whereof I boast myself unto them of Macedonia, and say that Achaia was prepared a year ago, and your ferventness hath provoked many. Nevertheless, yet have I sent these brethren, lest our rejoicing over you should be in vain in this behalf, and that ye - as I have said - prepare yourselves, read more.
lest peradventure if they of Macedonia come with me and find you unprepared, the boast that I made in this matter should be a shame to us: I say not unto you. Wherefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, to come before hand unto you, for to prepare your good blessing promised afore, that it might be ready: so that it be a blessing, and not a defrauding. This yet remember, how that he which soweth little, shall reap little: and he that soweth plenteously shall reap plenteously. And let every man do according as he hath purposed in his heart, not grudgingly, or of necessity. For God loveth a cheerful giver. God is able to make you rich in all grace, that ye in all things having sufficient unto the utmost, may be rich unto all manner good works, as it is written, "He that dispersed abroad and hath given to the poor, his righteousness remaineth for ever." He that findeth the sower seed, shall minister bread for food, and shall multiply your seed, and increase the fruits of your righteousness - that on all parts ye may be made rich in all singleness, which causeth through us, thanksgiving unto God. For the office of this ministration, not only supplieth the need of the saints: but also is abundant herein, that for this laudable ministering, thanks might be given to God of many, which praise God for the obedience of your professing the gospel of Christ, and for your singleness, in distributing to them, and to all men.
lest peradventure if they of Macedonia come with me and find you unprepared, the boast that I made in this matter should be a shame to us: I say not unto you. Wherefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, to come before hand unto you, for to prepare your good blessing promised afore, that it might be ready: so that it be a blessing, and not a defrauding. This yet remember, how that he which soweth little, shall reap little: and he that soweth plenteously shall reap plenteously. And let every man do according as he hath purposed in his heart, not grudgingly, or of necessity. For God loveth a cheerful giver. God is able to make you rich in all grace, that ye in all things having sufficient unto the utmost, may be rich unto all manner good works, as it is written, "He that dispersed abroad and hath given to the poor, his righteousness remaineth for ever." He that findeth the sower seed, shall minister bread for food, and shall multiply your seed, and increase the fruits of your righteousness - that on all parts ye may be made rich in all singleness, which causeth through us, thanksgiving unto God. For the office of this ministration, not only supplieth the need of the saints: but also is abundant herein, that for this laudable ministering, thanks might be given to God of many, which praise God for the obedience of your professing the gospel of Christ, and for your singleness, in distributing to them, and to all men.
Tact » Paul » In stimulating benevolent giving
I do you to wit, brethren, of the grace of God, which is given in the congregations of Macedonia: how that the abundance of their rejoicing is, that they are tried with much tribulation. And thereto, though they were exceeding poor, yet have they given exceeding richly, and that in singleness. For to their powers - I bear them record - yea and beyond their power, they were willing of their own accord, read more.
and prayed us with great instance, that we would receive their benefit, and suffer them to be partakers with others in ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we looked for; but gave their own selves first to the Lord, and after unto us by the will of God: so that we could not but desire Titus to accomplish the same benevolence among you also, even as he had begun. Now therefore, as ye are rich in all parts, in faith, in word, in knowledge, in all ferventness, and in love, which ye have to us: even so see that ye be plenteous in this benevolence. This say I not as commanding: but because others are so fervent, therefore prove I your love, whether it be perfect or no.
and prayed us with great instance, that we would receive their benefit, and suffer them to be partakers with others in ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we looked for; but gave their own selves first to the Lord, and after unto us by the will of God: so that we could not but desire Titus to accomplish the same benevolence among you also, even as he had begun. Now therefore, as ye are rich in all parts, in faith, in word, in knowledge, in all ferventness, and in love, which ye have to us: even so see that ye be plenteous in this benevolence. This say I not as commanding: but because others are so fervent, therefore prove I your love, whether it be perfect or no.
Of the ministering to the saints, it is but superfluous for me to write unto you: for I know your readiness of mind, whereof I boast myself unto them of Macedonia, and say that Achaia was prepared a year ago, and your ferventness hath provoked many. Nevertheless, yet have I sent these brethren, lest our rejoicing over you should be in vain in this behalf, and that ye - as I have said - prepare yourselves, read more.
lest peradventure if they of Macedonia come with me and find you unprepared, the boast that I made in this matter should be a shame to us: I say not unto you. Wherefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, to come before hand unto you, for to prepare your good blessing promised afore, that it might be ready: so that it be a blessing, and not a defrauding.
lest peradventure if they of Macedonia come with me and find you unprepared, the boast that I made in this matter should be a shame to us: I say not unto you. Wherefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, to come before hand unto you, for to prepare your good blessing promised afore, that it might be ready: so that it be a blessing, and not a defrauding.