N EW T ESTAMENT C HURCH M INISTRY T O P OOR

T HE L ESSON AS T AUGHT B Y C HRIST The Good Samaritan Our “ neighbors.” – “So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves? And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, Go and do likewise. ” {Luke 10:36,37}

T HE L ESSON AS T AUGHT B Y C HRIST Opportunity to do good to one in need – “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. ” {Galatians 6:9,10}

T HE L ESSON AS T AUGHT B Y C HRIST Those who should have helped passed by—priest and Levite. – “Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. ” {Luke 10:31,32}

T HE L ESSON AS T AUGHT B Y C HRIST Samaritan, hated by Jews, had mercy and helped. – “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. ” {Luke 10:33,34}

T HE B ASIS U PON W HICH S UCH W ORK IS D ONE Self consecration. – “For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. ” {2 Corinthians 8:3-5}

T HE B ASIS U PON W HICH S UCH W ORK IS D ONE Love—shown by generosity and liberality. – “I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others…Therefore show to them, and before the churches the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf.” {2 Corinthians 8:8,24}

T HE B ASIS U PON W HICH S UCH W ORK IS D ONE Love—in deed and truth. – “But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” {1 John 3:17,18}

T HE B ASIS U PON W HICH S UCH W ORK IS D ONE Gratitude. – “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” {1 John 3:16} – “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” {2 Corinthians 8:9}

T HE B ASIS U PON W HICH S UCH W ORK IS D ONE Sympathy. – “That there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” {1 Corinthians 12:25,26}

T HE B ASIS U PON W HICH S UCH W ORK IS D ONE To glorify God. – “For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God... Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” {2 Corinthians 9:12,15}

T HE B ASIS U PON W HICH S UCH W ORK IS D ONE To keep our hearts centered on God. – “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come…” {1 Timothy 6:17-19}

A P ART OF THE M ISSION OF THE E ARLY C HURCH Ministry of the saints. – “Distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.” {Romans 12:13} – “I urge you, brethren--you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints.” {1 Corinthians 16:15}

A P ART OF THE M ISSION OF THE E ARLY C HURCH Ministry of the saints. – “But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.” {Romans 15:25-27}

A P ART OF THE M ISSION OF THE E ARLY C HURCH Unto the work of ministering. – “For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” {Ephesians 4:12}

NT P LAN OF O PERATION IN P ERFORMING T HIS M INISTRY Individual. – “At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did... And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them…” {Acts 9:36,39}

NT P LAN OF O PERATION IN P ERFORMING T HIS M INISTRY Congregational. – “Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.” {Acts 11:29,30}

NT P LAN OF O PERATION IN P ERFORMING T HIS M INISTRY Congregational. – “Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.” {Acts 2:43-45}

NT P LAN OF O PERATION IN P ERFORMING T HIS M INISTRY Congregational. – “For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.” {2 Corinthians 8:12}

NT P LAN OF O PERATION IN P ERFORMING T HIS M INISTRY Congregational. – “But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack--that there may be equality.” {2 Corinthians 8:14}

NT P LAN OF O PERATION IN P ERFORMING T HIS M INISTRY Congregational co- operation in caring for needy saints. – “And we have sent with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches, and not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord Himself and to show your ready mind.” {2 Corinthians 8:18,19}

NT P LAN OF O PERATION IN P ERFORMING T HIS M INISTRY Plans for raising such funds. – “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.” {1 Corinthians 16:1,2}

NT P LAN OF O PERATION IN P ERFORMING T HIS M INISTRY Common treasury – “Lay by in store.” Regularly – “Upon first day of the week.” Individual – “Each of you.”

NT P LAN OF O PERATION IN P ERFORMING T HIS M INISTRY Proportionate – “As you have prospered.” Free will Purpose Confidence of the heart – 1 Corinthians 9:6-11