THE RIGHT HANDS
OF FELLOWSHIP
By
Shelby G. Floyd
April, 2009
PART SIX
FELLOWSHIP WITH SERVING
THE NEEDY
LESSON THIRTEEN
FELLOWSHIP WITH SERVING THE NEEDY: PART
One
area of Christian fellowship, one with another, involves the sharing of our
material blessings with the poor and the needy.
The
Concerning
the fellowship of ministering to the needy, Luke says, "and all that
believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions
and goods, and parted them unto all men, as every man had need" (Acts 2:
44-45). The attitude of the members of the
Jesus taught in the parable of the Good Samaritan that one should help the one who is destitute, even though he is not one of our own group (Luke 10: 25-37). Christians then must be ready at all times to help anyone who is destitute; but in a special way they should count it a privilege to help those who are needy in the family of Christ.
Fellowship with the Necessity of the Saints
Someone has called the twelfth
chapter Romans the Bible in miniature.
It is a very comprehensive chapter concerning the duties and
responsibilities of the children of God.
One of the divine injunctions of that chapter is, "distributing
to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality” (Romans
There are some today
who contend that Christian fellowship is a state and does not involve specific
acts. However, the distributing to the
necessity of the saints was an action and the Christians in the
Since
the word distributing is a present participle, the Christians at
The
children of God should count it a blessed privilege to share their material
wealth with the poor and destitute. David
said, "blessed is he that considereth the
poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble” (Psalms 41:1).
Ministering Material Things
At the time Paul wrote the letter
to the church at
The
Jewish Christians at Jerusalem had been responsible for the blessings of the
gospel coming to the Gentiles in Macedonia and Achaia; therefore, because they
had shared their spiritual things with the Gentiles, the churches of Macedonia
and Achaia were in debt to them and were obligated now to share their carnal
things with the members of the church at Jerusalem. The churches of
In Romans 15: 26, the word contribution is from koinonia, which means, “a benefaction jointly contributed, a collection, a contribution, as exhibiting an embodiment and proof of fellowship” (Thayer, p. 352). It is not enough to talk about having fellowship with the poor and needy, but one’s sincerity is demonstrated by a collection or contribution to relieve their wants.
Late
in life, the apostle John said, "hereby perceive we the love of God,
because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for
the brethren. But whoso hath this
world's goods, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word,
neither in tongue; but in deed and truth” (1 John
QUESTIONS ON THE LESSON
1. Describe and discuss this situation in the
2. Is it necessary for Christians to help those who are not members of the church? How do we apply the parable of the Good Samaritan to this question?
3. What does the phrase "distributing to the necessity of the saints" in Romans 12: 13 mean?
4. Does Christian fellowship involves specific actions or is it just a state?
5. Is "distributing to the necessity of the saints" a continuous responsibility? Discuss.
6. Which churches were involved in the
collection for the poor at
7. In what two ways are
we all debtors? Compare the teaching of
Romans
8. Can a church collectively contribute to help the needy? See Romans 15: 26.
9. How does one prove the sincerity of his fellowship with the needy?
10. Discuss how faith and love are alike in connection with works.
SCRIPTURE TEXTS
Acts 2:44-45
44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
NIV
Acts
32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.
NIV
Rom
13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
NIV
Rom 15:24-27
25But now I am going to
NKJV
1 John 3:16-18
16By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
NKJV
MEMORY VERSE
Ps 41:1
Blessed is he who considers the poor;
The LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
NKJV
FELLOWSHIP WITH SERVING THE NEEDY: PART TWO
We
have insight into the sincerity of the churches of Macedonia, concerning their
contribution for the poor saints which were at Jerusalem in Pau1’s second
letter to the Corinthians: “For to their power, I bear record, yea, and
beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us
the fellowship of the ministering to the saints” (2 Corinthians 8:3-4).
Paul and the messenger who traveled
with him took upon themselves the fellowship of the ministering to the saints
by receiving the gift that the church at
Having reminded
the Corinthians of the liberality of the churches of
Serving
the Needy Accomplishes Several Things
Concerning
the gift which the Corinthians were preparing for the poor, Paul says, “For
the administration of this service not only supplieth
the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed
subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto
them, and unto all men” (2 Corinthians 9: 12-13).
The
gift that the Corinthians would give to help the poor would do several things.
First, in a practical way it would supply the want and the necessities of those
who were in distress. Secondly, it would also cause their hearts to be filled
with thanksgivings unto God. They would thank God for blessings that the
Corinthians contributed to relieve their needs. They would glorify God because
the gift of the Corinthians would be proof of their subjection unto the gospel
of Christ.
Christians Are To Do Good to All Men
In 2 Corinthians 9: 13, the word distribution is
from the same word that is translated fellowship in 2 Corinthians 8:
4. Therefore, fellowship and
distribution are convertible terms in this context. According to the last
clause of 2 Corinthians 9: 13, the Corinthians
were known for their liberal distribution unto all men, and not just to the
poor saints at
To
the Galatians, Paul says, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the
household of faith (Galatians
“All
men” in the above verse is put in contradistinction to “the household of
faith.” Since the household of faith is
the church, then all men must be those who are outside of the church. In order
for these good works to be executed both on the poor in the church, and the
poor out of the church, it is necessary that the members of the church be ready
to share their blessings. Therefore, in writing to the young preacher, Timothy,
Paul states, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust uncertain riches, but in the living
God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That
they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to
communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the
time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life (1 Timothy 6: 17-19).
In 1
Timothy 6: 18, the term communicate is from koinonikos
which means to be, “social, sociable, and apt to form and maintain communion
and fellowship; inclined to make others sharers in one’s possessions, inclined
to impart, free in giving, liberal” (Cf. Thayer, p. 352). Therefore, to be
willing to communicate is to be inclined to share one’s possessions with those
who are in need; this, Timothy was to instruct in his preaching. When we have
fellowship with the ministering to the poor and the needy, let us realize that
God is pleased with such a life.
In the Hebrew letter
we read: “But to do good and to communicate forget
not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews
*Shelby G. Floyd
originally published The Right Hands of Fellowship in The Informer,
bulletin of the Garfield Heights Church of Christ in
QUESTIONS
ON THE LESSON
1. How can one detect the sincerity of anyone’s contribution to the poor and needy?
2. What does it mean to have fellowship with serving the needy?
3. How can a congregation be prepared to minister to the needy?
4. What are some things ministering to the needy will accomplish?
5. To what extent are Christians and the church obligated to do good? Is doing good limited to just helping Christians in need?
6. What does it mean to communicate in doing good and being rich in good works?
SCRIPTURE
TEXTS
2 Cor 8:3-4
3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.
NIV
2 Cor
12This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
NIV
Matt 5:43-47
43"You have heard that it was said, `Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
NIV
Gal 6:10
10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
NIV
1 Tim 6:17-19
17Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
NIV
Heb 13:16
16And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
NIV
MEMORY VERSE
Mark 9:40-41
41I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.
NIV