God has, in fact, written two books, not just one. Of course, we are all familiar with the first book he wrote, namely Scripture. But he has written a second book called creation. Body & Soul God s Economy
God s Economy: How God provides for the needs of His people both directly and indirectly and how we participate with God in providing for our individual needs and the needs of our family and faith community
God s Economy: How Our Needs Are Met יהוה But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 Family But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8 Church 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love;. 12 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality Romans 12:10,14
God s Economy: How Our Needs Are Met Acknowledge our Dependence on God God supplies all of our needs We are to trust, obey and acknowledge Him Acknowledge His Provision Based on obedience Work as blessing Acknowledge Our Responsibility Blessed to bless others Give to the Poor Lend to the Poor without interest Reason: obedience, blessings, reminder Avoid Partiality All are equal before the Law All are equal before God Assisting Family Assisting the Assembly (Church) Responsibility of the Receiver
Proverbs 30 7 Two things I asked of You, Do not refuse me before I die: 8 Keep deception and lies far from me, Feed me with the food that is my portion, 9 That I not be full and deny You and say, Who is? Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God. Rich and Poor: Both face a challenge Both can fail, just in different ways!
Philippians 4 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak from want, for. Changing Circumstances: When Paul first interacted with the Philippians they were willing to support him but he was being taken care of Now he had needs so they now could support him Paul learned the lesson Solomon prayed to avoid!
Philippians 4 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. Both Sides Now Humility & Prosperity: Experienced both extremes that Solomon had asked to avoid He could do all things because God was equally powerful and capable to see His will fulfilled regardless of the servants circumstances (God reliant in all circumstances!)
God s Economy: How Our Needs Are Met Acknowledge our Dependence on God Acknowledge His Provision Acknowledge Our Responsibility Avoid Partiality Assisting Family
Proverbs 19 1 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity Than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool. 4 Wealth adds many friends, But a poor man is separated from his friend. 7 A poor man is hated by his relatives how much more do their friends avoid them! Though he pursues them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found. Poor without Supportive Companions: Family s actions are indefensible Not to be this way among God s children
1 Timothy 5 3 Honor widows who are 4 but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God. Widows Indeed: Not defined by merely the death of a husband Paul will detail additional elements of the definition First: No adult children or grand children to care for them Family has the responsibility to care for their members
1 Timothy 5 5 Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day. 6 But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7 Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach. Widows Indeed Presence of Positive Attributes: Alone: no other family to support them Hope: they are God reliant not self reliant Prayer: Calling out to God as their only hope
1 Timothy 5 5 Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day. 6 But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7 Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach. Widows Indeed Inappropriate Expectations: Wanton Pleasure: demanding the lifestyle the husband provided Looking only to enjoy pleasure in her remaining years
1 Timothy 5 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Family Responsible: Even if all the conditions were met, the church should not be burdened with the family s responsibility Faith without works is dead; but faith that refuses to do the works for which it is responsible is self denying! Family: Equivalent to a man who wants to eat but not work Unbeliever: at least they don t pretend to be Christians
Church Support: (vv. 9 16) Church has the right/responsibility to define who are the appropriate recipients of their support. Elements: Absence of Family Evidence of living out their faith by pursuing righteousness (sanctification) participating in good works (ministry) Commit themselves to ongoing service in response to being supported
1 Timothy 5 9 A widow is to be put on the list only if she 1 is not less than sixty years old, 2having been the wife of one man,3 10 having a reputation for good works; and 4if she has brought up children,5 if she has shown hospitality to strangers,6 if she has washed the saints feet, 7if she has assisted those in distress, and 8if she has devoted herself to every good work. Widows Indeed Additional Positive Attributes: Apply the principles of this list When is the last time you washed the saint s feet? A childless widow would deserve support without violating the scriptures
1 Timothy 5 11 But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married, 12 thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge. Widows Indeed Pledge to the Church: Widow and the church enter into a covenant that is equivalent to a marriage To marry after committing to the church is tantamount to divorce
1 Timothy 5 13 At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention. Support Requires Working for the Church: Support without work leads to sin Support industry not idleness
1 Timothy 5 14 Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach; 15 for some have already turned aside to follow Satan. Solution for Widows: Covenant relationship to work Covenant to family (which then provides support) OR covenant with the church (which then provides support) Satan preys on those that are not in covenant relationship! Same principles apply to all that are in need of financial help
1 Timothy 5 16 If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed. Woman to Women: Specific case of verse 8 ( anyone vs. woman ) Women have a better understanding of other women, in general, than men have of women They are in a better position to assess and work with women
God s Economy: How Our Needs Are Met Acknowledge our Dependence on God Acknowledge His Provision Acknowledge Our Responsibility Avoid Partiality Assisting Family Assisting the Assembly
Deuteronomy 10:18 God has a Heart for the Poor He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, giving them food and clothing. Deuteronomy 24:17 Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. Psalm 68:5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.
Isaiah 1:17 God has a Heart for the Poor Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. Jeremiah 49:11 Leave your fatherless children; I will keep them alive. Your widows too can depend on me. Psalm 68:5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.
Isaiah 58 7 Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry And bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked, to cover him; And not to hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then your light will break out like the dawn, And your recovery will speedily spring forth; And your righteousness will go before you; The glory of will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call, and will answer; You will cry, and He will say, Here I am.
Isaiah 58 10 And yourself to the hungry And satisfy the desire of the afflicted, your light will rise in darkness And your gloom will become like midday. 11 And will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.
Matthew 19 21 If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me. Rich Young Ruler: Addressing the issue of his heart Loved/trusted his money more than God Not a general requisite for salvation Will you love and care for those that God cares for?
Central Issue Pride vs. Humility Self reliant vs. God reliant Serve Money vs. Serve God Government reliant vs. God reliant Self reliant Government reliant
1 Timothy 6 17 in this present world 1not to be conceited or 2 to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 1 to do good, 2 to be rich in good works, 3to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
Luke 3 10 And the crowds were questioning him, saying, Then? 11 And he would answer and say to them, The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise. John the Baptist Works in Keeping with Repentance: Confronting the Pharisees on their external religious practices People wanted to know what the alternative was to empty, external religion His answer was to practice good works Don t have to be rich to reach out and help
1 John 3 14 because we love the brethren. 16, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 Little children,
James 2 14, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and be filled, and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body,? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
Matthew 6 2 So, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 3 But, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
Matthew 25 31 But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33 and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.
Matthew 25 34 Then the King will say to those on His right,, you who are blessed of My Father, prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.
Matthew 25 37 Then the righteous will answer Him, Lord, did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 And did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? 40 The King will answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.
Matthew 25 41 Then He will also say to those on His left,, into the which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; 43 I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.
Matthew 25 44 Then they themselves also will answer, Lord, did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You? 45 Then He will answer them, Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me. 46 will go away into eternal punishment, but into eternal life.
God s Economy: How Our Needs Are Met Acknowledge our Dependence on God Acknowledge His Provision Acknowledge Our Responsibility Avoid Partiality Assisting Family Assisting the Assembly Responsibility f Receivers
Leviticus 19 9 Now when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10 Nor shall you glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather the fallen fruit of your vineyard; I am the YEHOVAH your God. Caring for the Poor: Needy: Fellow Jews (Naomi) Stranger: Gentiles (by birth) that were God fearers (Ruth) Commandment repeated in Leviticus 23:22
Deuteronomy 24 19 When you reap your harvest in your field and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow, in order that your God Blessing for Obedience What appears to be a loss becomes a blessing/gain Another way God providing for the less fortunate Not redistribution of wealth God restores through blessing
Deuteronomy 24 20 When you beat your olive tree, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow. 21 When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not go over it again; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow.
Genesis 3:19 19 By the sweat of your face you will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Fall of Man: God would no longer provide abundant food for man through pleasant endeavors Man must now labor to plant, till, harvest and process First mention of bread in the Bible Product of man s labor Takes what God provided and creates something new
2 Thessalonians 3:10 if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. No charity for Able Bodied Persons: No one to willfully not work or refuse to work No Biblical entitlement programs Rob dignity from those that are not working
God s Economy: How Our Needs Are Met Acknowledge our Dependence on God God supplies all of our needs We are to trust, obey and acknowledge Him Acknowledge His Provision Based on obedience Work as blessing Acknowledge Our Responsibility Blessed to bless others Give to the Poor Lend to the Poor without interest Reason: obedience, blessings, reminder Avoid Partiality All are equal before the Law All are equal before God Assisting Family Assisting the Assembly (Church) Responsibility of the Receiver