When we examine this matter from the Bible alone, we come to views that differ in many respects from current practices. An example of this is the question of who should be given? There is a lot of money being asked for. Some of it is justified because people are in real need.
But some try to make easy money for themselves by falsifying fund-raising events, the proceeds of which end up in their own pockets. There are also such people among believers. 2 Pet. 2:3. This too must be taken into account.
So the object of our help is our dear brothers and sisters, the saints, who were purchased with the blood of Jesus. Their plight touches our hearts. And we are happy to help them in their need.
The Bible’s example of relief work shows the way. They helped Jesus’ poor disciples in Jerusalem. Acts 6. So the congregation did not help people of the world, but mainly believers who were in need of food. Acts 11:27-30.
John 17:9.
But individual believers can of course donate wherever they want, as long as it does not undermine the work of helping believers.
So the target of our help is our dear brothers and sisters.
The early Christians knew the Bible teaching: “He who oppresses the poor insults his Maker, but he who is kind to the poor honors his Maker.” Proverbs 14:31. This applies to a person. Whether he is a believer or not is secondary. The same applies to the good Samaritan. Luke 10:30-37.
There are many people in the world today who need help. Priority should be given to believers. And first to the Christians in your own community. “Seek the welfare of the city to which I am sending you, and pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will be yours.” Jer. 29:7.
This is the limit of blessing set by God in other congregation matters as well. We take responsibility for the believers in our own city and pray for them. We cannot help the whole world. But we pray for God’s guidance in each case separately. We pray and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and then act accordingly.
Requests for help come from different parts of the world that we cannot answer.
I am writing this so that the congregation in each locality will take responsibility for the needs of the believers in their own area. And if there are sufficient funds, also for helping those who are not yet believers.
“For it is written: ‘He has distributed, he has given to the poor, his righteousness remains forever.’”: 2 Cor. 9:9.
May Jesus lead.
Weijo Lindroos
Turku Finland