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WORK OF THE CHURCH Introduction:
I. With the collecting of money (1 Corinthians 16:2) the
problem arises as to the use that can be made of that
money.
II. There is a definite distinction between the uses I
Make of money as an individual Christian and the use
made by the church of the money contributed on the
first day of the week.
A. As long as the money remains in my possession it is
within my own power to use it as I think good.
1. Acts 5:4
2. Luke 10:30-35; Ephesians 4:28; 2 Thessalonians
3:10, suggest that money earned can be used for
benevolence, food, other necessities, whatever
is needed.
B. When money is contributed it is no longer mine, but
it is the Lord’s, and is to be used as the Lord
authorizes.
1. Malachi 3:8
2. Colossians 3:17
C. 1 Timothy 5:16 distinguishes very clearly between
the work of the individual Christian and the
church.
III. The problem to be dealt with in this lesson is not how
I as an individual am to spend my money, but how the
church as a collective body is to spend the money
contributed on the Lord’s day.
IV. In solving this problem, we are dependent on the
authority of the scriptures.
A. God’s order of authority.
1. God has original authority.
a. 1 Corinthians 11:3
b. 1 Corinthians 15:27.
2. God gave or delegated authority to Christ.
a. Matthew 28:18
b. Ephesians 1:22, 23
3. Christ gave binding and loosing power to the
apostles-sent them the Holy Spirit to direct
them in this binding and loosing.
a. Matthew 18:18
b. John 14:26
c. John 16:13
4. The apostles, directed by the Holy Spirit, gave
us the New Testament, our final authority in
religion today.
a. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
b. Galatians 1:6-9
c. 2 John 9
B. The New Testament, then, is final authority for
religious practice, including use of money
contributed on the Lord’s day.
Body:
I. Three ways by which New Testament authority is
established.
A. Direct Command – 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14.
1. Two kinds of commands.
a. Generic – one in which details and mechanics
are not given—left to human judgment.
b. Specific – one in which the details and
mechanics are given-not left to human
judgment.
2. When a generic command is given, the church can
spend its money for those things that will
facilitate the carrying out of the command—these
things are commonly called expedients.
B. Approved example – Philippians 4:9; 2 Thessalonians
2:15
C. Necessary inference – That which is not directly
stated, but is necessarily implied in the wording
of the passage. Example: Acts 8:35, 36. As a
result of preaching “Jesus”, the eunuch wanted to
be baptized. The necessary inference is that the
command to be baptized is a part of preaching
“Jesus”.
II. The New Testament authorizes the church to spend its
money in three major fields.
A. A study of Ephesians 4:11-12 reveals these three
fields:
1. Edification – Teaching and strengthening
Christians.
2. Benevolence – Care for the needy.
3. Evangelism – Enlarging the church through
preaching to the lost.
Apostles Perfecting of the saints (Edif.)
Prophets Work of Ministry (Benevolence)
Church Evangelists Building up of the body
Pastors (Evangelism)
Teachers
B. Other scriptures points to these three works as the
work of the church.
1. Edification – Ephesians 4:11-12; Acts 13:1;
11:22-26
2. Benevolence – 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Acts 2:44
-45; 4:34-35; 6:1-6; 1 Timothy 5:3-16.
3. Evangelism – 2 Corinthians 11:8-9; Philippians
4:15
III. The church out of its treasury can provide these
things that will facilitate the carrying out of these
commands—within, however, the limitations placed upon
it by the Scriptures. (These limitations will be
studied in a later lesson)
A. Edification—Classrooms, workbooks, lights, song
books, communion trays, bread, fruit of the vine,
comfortable place of assembly, Bibles, etc.
B. Benevolence—Food, shelter, medical needs,
supervision, etc.
C. Evangelism—Support of preacher (Might include
house, car, bills), tracts, tent, plane ticket, bus
ticket, Bibles, correspondence course, etc.
IV. Some specifics connected with the work of the church.
A. Specific work – Edification, Benevolence,
Evangelism – The church, then, is not at liberty to
spend its money in any field it wants to, such as:
1. Social activities (This falls in the realm of
the home activities – 1 Corinthians 11:22).
2. Recreation
3. Education
4. Politics
5. Business enterprises
6. Purchasing of flowers, gifts, etc.
7. These have no place in the work of the church.
B. Specific organization—the local church.
1. The church is not at liberty to turn its work
and money over to another organization.
2. The specific organization is given—the local
congregation—This is the largest unit of
organization and the only one that the Lord has
established to do His work.
3. Further discussion of this will come in a later
lesson.
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