Sharing Overview

In our culture, the focal point of authority is money.  Some passages suggest that Christians have an obligation to support certain people monetarily.

  • Early Christians in Jerusalem shared with each other.
    • Acts 2:44 – 45  They had all things in common.
    • Acts 4:34 – 35  They distributed to each as anyone had need.
    • Acts 5:4  Christians were under no compulsion to sell property or share assets.
  • Christians in other places sent funds for famine relief in Jerusalem.
    • Acts 11:29  The disciples [in Antioch of Syria]…determined to send relief.
    • 1 Corinthians 16:1 – 3  Now concerning the collection for the saints…
    • 2 Corinthians 8 – 9  …by way of equality
  • Teachers of the gospel are to be supported financially.
    • 3 John 6  …that we may become fellow workers.
    • Titus 3:13  Send Zenas and Apollos on their journey…that they may lack nothing.
    • 1 Corinthians 9:3 – 14  Who goes to war at his own expense?
    • 1 Timothy 5:17 – 18  Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor.
  • Needy brethren are to be helped.
    • Matthew 25:35 – 40  …I was hungry and you gave me food…
    • 1 John 3:17  …and shuts his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
  • Generally helping the poor
    • Ephesians 4:28   …labor that you may share.
    • Galatians 2:10  …remember the poor.
    • Luke 14:12 – 14  When you give a feast, invite the poor…
  • Taking care of needy relatives is essential
    • 1 Timothy 5:8  …anyone not providing for his own…is worse than an unbeliever.
  • Sharing must be from love.
    • 1 Corinthians 13:3  …but have not love, it profits me nothing.
  • Poverty will not be eradicated; honoring Jesus is a more worthy expenditure.
    • Matthew 26:11, Mark 14:7, John 12:8  The poor you will have with you always.
  • Deciding how to share is not a matter of resources or priorities, but of faith.
    • 2 Corinthians  8:12  …according to what a man has, not what he does not have.
    • 2 Corinthians 9:6  He who sows sparingly will reap sparingly.
    • 2 Corinthians 9:7  God loves a cheerful giver.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:14  Children ought not to lay up for the parents, but parents for the children.

Who decides with whom I am to share?

  • The apostles had authority to demand support; they are not recorded to have used that right.
  • One who claims authority over the finances of another takes what God has not granted.
  • Asserting that someone else must give money to a certain cause in order to have worthy faith is ungodly manipulation.
  • All believers have liberty.  Each must assess his or her own generosity and share accordingly.