Re: November 2010, Gospel Advocate

The Bible clearly supports a common treasury and the members of any organization should be willing to support the activities of that organization cheerfully or not. That is reason enough to keep the membership informed and involved.

 

We have changed the purpose of the funds to be mostly for the benefit of the local congregation and over the years increased the worshipfulness of contributing. The collection on the first day of the week was at one time to pay the traveling preacher. (In the mountain churches they would pay in barter. Some congregations gave moonshine to the preacher. They believed it was a sin to drink but the preacher could sell it or at least part of it and get money). Interesting way of thinking. We hear we are returning a portion of what God has given to us. I do not believe the Bible supports that thought. David said he would not give to the Lord what costs him nothing. Jesus compared favorably the woman who gave out of her need to those who gave of their abundance.  The Temple was not expected to take care of Lazarus the rich man was even though he had contributed to the Temple. No where are we commanded to give to pay a preacher, the utility bills, or any other admin expenses. When funds intended for different purposes are mingled the result is the misuse of funds. Remember the government and Social Security funds.

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

Nike's "Just Do It" was inspired by murderer Gary Gilmore's last words before his 1977 execution: "Let's Do It."

On Wed, Dec 15, 2010 at 10:39 PM, Ray & Martha <arandm@charter.net> wrote:

Thanks for sharing both these exchanges. I have not studied the Murdock article yet. I have to get with the program and catch up to comment. Does seem that Owen has looked closely at the topic. Some of the later secular or historical wrightings are new to me and seem to shed some worthwhile light on the topic.

Ray

 

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: John Jenkins

To: Ray Slate

Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 3:42 PM

Subject: Fwd: November 2010, Gospel Advocate

 

And here's a response from Dan Owens. He just may have  a point

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

Nike's "Just Do It" was inspired by murderer Gary Gilmore's last words before his 1977 execution: "Let's Do It."

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Dan Owen <dan@broadwaycoc.com>
Date: Wed, Dec 15, 2010 at 3:30 PM
Subject: RE: November 2010, Gospel Advocate
To: John Jenkins <jrjenki@gmail.com>

John,

Thanks for the encouraging word about the article.  Actually, I understand why it seems strange to some  to use the 1 Corinthians 16 passage, but it may not be as strange as you think.  When we go back to Acts 2:44, the first Christians, under the direction of the apostles, began a common treasury out of which they cared for those in need.  This is probably what is referred to as the "koinonia" in Acts 2:42.  The same is stated in Acts 4:32.  When the Christians sold houses or lands to meet the needs of the church they brought the money and "laid it at the apostles' feet," (Acts 4:35, 37; 5:2).  This already sets the precedent for a common church treasury administered by the church leaders.  Later contributions to the Jerusalem church were sent "to the elders" (Acts 11:32). The money was still being deposited with the church leaders for distribution.  In 1 Corinthians 16, 2 Corinthians 8-9, and Romans 15:30ff, more is said about contribution.  To be sure, this was a special contribution from several churches to help Christians in a particular area.  But it was basically collected in the same manner as the original Jerusalem contribution.  The word in 1 Corinthians 16:2, "thesaurizo" means to place in a common treasury.  In the second century, Justin Martyr was explaining to the emperor what Christians everywhere did, and part of the common practice explained by him was the collection on the first day of the week (Apology I. 67).  So, in my view, though 1 Cor. 16 is dealing with a special effort, it also reflects the common practice of the apostolic church relative to the collection of funds for the church.

God's blessings to you, brother!

Dan Owen

 

From: John Jenkins [mailto:jrjenki@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 11:10 AM
To: dan@broadwaycoc.com
Subject: November 2010, Gospel Advocate

 

Dan Owen:

 

You have a very nice article in the November 2010, Gospel Advocate.

 

Does it appear odd to you that the example we use for the weekly contribution, which is primarily for the use of the local congregation, was intended for the poor in another congregation in another city?

 

Again, nice article.

 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

Nike's "Just Do It" was inspired by murderer Gary Gilmore's last words before his 1977 execution: "Let's Do It."