Here Are A Few statements of the royal law from just one book of the Bible, the Proverbs. They concern the poor. Many Christadelphians do not accept that they apply to us, or in our world today. It is said that our age is so uncertain we all have to be very prudent and cautious with money. Or we say that any assistance may be abused. But are such objections scripturally or soundly based? Even in our own brotherhood, brothers and sisters range from fairly wealthy to almost destitute. So, in a practical way, how can we “lend to the Lord” today? Discussion, then practical application, are needed.
Lending to the Lord
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he give to him again” (Prov. 19:17). “He that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he” (14:21). “He that honoureth [God] hath mercy on the poor” (14:31). “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard” (21:13). “He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor” (22:9). “Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: for the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them” (22:22-23). “The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it” (29:7). “[The virtuous woman] stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy” (31:20).
“s hath the Lord ordained”
“Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? And they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel” (I Cor. 9:13-14). “Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof’? Or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?” (I Cor. 9:7). “He that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope” (I Cor. 9:10). “The labourer is worthy of his hire” (Luke 10:7). “Remember them…who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation” (Heb. 13:7). “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine” (I Tim. 5:17).
The Scriptural principle is clear. The Lord Jesus has ordained — that is, made it a rule — that within his body, the church, “those who preach the gospel” should be financially assisted in their work. Moreover, those who are especially notable for “labour in the word and doctrine” are to be generously supported by the brotherhood (“worthy of double honour”), not a measly minimum. Like Paul, they may forego it, but it is a right to which by ordinance of the Lord they are entitled.
In practice, most Christadelphians refuse to accept the Lord’s instructions, saying that they don’t apply today, and that preaching of the gospel should be spare time and unsupported. No valid scriptural reasons ever seem to be given for this, and the real reason may be fear of the kind of financial abuse we see in many churches of the apostasy. A small minority of Christadelphians do accept these instructions heartily, and generously support dedicated preachers who go forth into the Lord’s harvest fields — though there never seem to be enough to reap the ripening crops or tend the lambs.
The facts are incontrovertible: in the Caribbean, as almost everywhere else, whenever and wherever supported preachers of the gospel have gone, large numbers of converts have been made, strong ecclesias have grown and flourished, and God has been glorified (John 17:22). Whenever and wherever supported preachers have died, been withdrawn or left, the work of the Lord has tended to languish. That has been our experience in the Caribbean since 1888. In every other region the situation has been, is, and will be the same, depending on our policies. That, obviously, is the very reason why the Lord “ordained” his chosen missionary system. “Hearken! Behold, there went out a sower to sow…” (Mark 4:3). Discussion, then practical application, are needed.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One