Question: To whom is the Christian to give support

I received a question regarding to whom the Christian is to provide aid or support. First, I should say that the answer must come from the Bible; I have no intention of giving opinions on this matter. And secondly, this is a complex question, but here is what I see.

Our financial or other help to others can be viewed on several levels in the Bible. One question would deal with what kind of financial and other types of support should the "church" be doing. The Bible, primarily the book of Acts and the epistles to follow, give numerous examples of financial support that the early churches were providing. In every case, the support was to other Christians. And in every case, the use of the contribution was to either support the preaching of the gospel, or to help Christians who were in need. Thus, there is no example of the church taking on social needs.

But the question posed was of a personal, individual nature. Who should we, as Christians, be helping? Note these passages:

1Timothy 5:8 "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of this household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."


Galatians 6:10 "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Luke 10:25+ Jesus said to a lawyer who was testing Him: " 'What is written in the law?' So he answered and said, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.' And He said to him, 'You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.' " Being asked, "And who is my neighbor?', Jesus follows this with a parable of the good Samaritan, where a Samaritan helps an injured Jew (a natural enemy). In verse 36, He said, " 'So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?' And he said, 'He who showed mercy on him.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Go and do likewise.' "

And finally, though there are lots more scriptures on the matter, we look at the giving expected of all Christians through the church. 1Corinthians 16 says "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come." Then in the 2nd Corinthian letter he follows this up demonstating that this was done and says in 2Cor. 8:5, "..they first gave themselves to the Lord.."

To summarize all of this, we see that we are to provide for our own--first priority. Gal. 6 shows that taking care of Christians takes priority over non-Christians, but we are to do good to all. And Luke 10 gives us direction to help anyone whom we encounter in great and immediate need if we have the ability. And finally, 1 & 2 Corinthians tells us to give through the church so that the combined contribution of Christians can help the cause of Christ. The Jew under the Old Testament tithed (10%), but we are not told an amount to give under the law of Christ. We are to just first give of ourselves, and the rest will follow.

That's it for this week. Thanks for reading and have a blessed week!