OvercomingSelf.net
Help Your Self article #20
FABLE OF LITTLE ORPHAN " ANTI " - Part 2 of 2
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The following quote is representative by those using church treasury to support societal institutions.
If you accept it at face value, then you may have no desire to look any further. That happens when
jumping to conclusions. However, consider three (3) lines of evidence which will follow after this:
If you accept it at face value, then you may have no desire to look any further. That happens when
jumping to conclusions. However, consider three (3) lines of evidence which will follow after this:
Excerpted from Bulletin Briefs, February 2000; article by J.W. "Forbidding
Brethren."
"When little children were brought to Jesus for Him to bless them the disciples
rebuked those who brought them, "but Jesus said, let the little children come to
me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 19:14).
"In our times we have brothers who have forbid the church to receive (provide care
for) homeless children. They argue that the Holy Spirit authorizes the church in
benevolence to help "saints only," therefore they forbid Christ bride to receive
orphans."
"The doctrine of "saints only" came from the same place the doctrine of "faith only"
came; that is, from the imagination of the hearts of men. It is a doctrine of men (cf.
Matt. 15:9) and is a vain tradition (cf. Mark 7:9) fostered on many good brethren
over the last fifty years."
Brethren."
"When little children were brought to Jesus for Him to bless them the disciples
rebuked those who brought them, "but Jesus said, let the little children come to
me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 19:14).
"In our times we have brothers who have forbid the church to receive (provide care
for) homeless children. They argue that the Holy Spirit authorizes the church in
benevolence to help "saints only," therefore they forbid Christ bride to receive
orphans."
"The doctrine of "saints only" came from the same place the doctrine of "faith only"
came; that is, from the imagination of the hearts of men. It is a doctrine of men (cf.
Matt. 15:9) and is a vain tradition (cf. Mark 7:9) fostered on many good brethren
over the last fifty years."
Seeking to back up his article, the writer ends it by quoting 2 Corinthians 9:13, which says: "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."
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 9:13 is one of several new testament verses that are cited to try to justify using the
church treasury to aid non-members (others are Galatians 6:10; James 1:27, which contexts show
general individual action). In this KJV verse, they contend that "all men" includes anybody the
church wants to serve, including lost sinners. May I present three (3) lines of evidence showing
that the distribution of relief (from church treasury) in 2 Corinthians 9:13 was not to non-members:
The Text, The Context, and The Pretext.
church treasury to aid non-members (others are Galatians 6:10; James 1:27, which contexts show
general individual action). In this KJV verse, they contend that "all men" includes anybody the
church wants to serve, including lost sinners. May I present three (3) lines of evidence showing
that the distribution of relief (from church treasury) in 2 Corinthians 9:13 was not to non-members:
The Text, The Context, and The Pretext.
1) The Text: "unto all men"
In the original Greek language, the text says, "unto all". That is why the King James publishers
italicized the last word, "men". In a Special Features preface of the Bible, they explain the word is
added "to indicate words supplied by the editors to help clarify the meaning and better relate the
oringinal language into English" (Nelson Regency KJV Bible, from Thomas Nelson Publishers,
1990).
In the original Greek language, the text says, "unto all". That is why the King James publishers
italicized the last word, "men". In a Special Features preface of the Bible, they explain the word is
added "to indicate words supplied by the editors to help clarify the meaning and better relate the
oringinal language into English" (Nelson Regency KJV Bible, from Thomas Nelson Publishers,
1990).
2) The Context: "to the saints"
The "unto all men" in 2 Corinthians 9:13 is magnified by the full context. Some seek to use this
verse as a proof text for the church itself being a general benevolence agency for any and all
human beings, and they say that "unto all (men)" is an approved example for this. But both the
immediate context and the full context show otherwise. The full context of 2 Corinthians 9:13 is
expounded in the following passages:
The "unto all men" in 2 Corinthians 9:13 is magnified by the full context. Some seek to use this
verse as a proof text for the church itself being a general benevolence agency for any and all
human beings, and they say that "unto all (men)" is an approved example for this. But both the
immediate context and the full context show otherwise. The full context of 2 Corinthians 9:13 is
expounded in the following passages:
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***In that Roman 15:31 passage, Paul asked prayers to "be delivered from them that do not
believe." And yet, the anti anti's are saying you can give them the Lord's money. Now if the
individual wanted to give his own money to the non-believer, that is his own matter. But to
complete the church's service to the saints, Paul wanted to be "delivered from" non-believers. Yet
the ways of man say provide carnally for non-believers in the church's budget.
believe." And yet, the anti anti's are saying you can give them the Lord's money. Now if the
individual wanted to give his own money to the non-believer, that is his own matter. But to
complete the church's service to the saints, Paul wanted to be "delivered from" non-believers. Yet
the ways of man say provide carnally for non-believers in the church's budget.
Now to 2 Corinthians 9. In verse 1, it says "ministering to the saints"; and in verse 12, "supplieth
the want of the saints." So now, what is the context of 2 Corinthians 9:13? Answer: the "them" is
the saints at Jerusalem who were served. The "unto all (men)" is the saints in general, as from
preceding verse 12, the "also by many" who could give "thanksgiving to God" for this good work.
the want of the saints." So now, what is the context of 2 Corinthians 9:13? Answer: the "them" is
the saints at Jerusalem who were served. The "unto all (men)" is the saints in general, as from
preceding verse 12, the "also by many" who could give "thanksgiving to God" for this good work.
Here is more evidence, in the very next verse. Of those who received the gift of relief, Paul
mentioned "their prayer for you," 2 Corinthians 9:14 ("you" meaning the Corinthians who gave
relief ). Now based on 1 Peter 3:12; Proverbs 28:9; and John 9:31, Paul would not be commending
a vain prayer of non-members. The "unto all men" in 2 Corinthians 9:13 refers to "all" those
Christians who could pray to God in thanksgiving for the benefits of this relief effort. This is no
proof text for supporting non-members with Lord's money.
mentioned "their prayer for you," 2 Corinthians 9:14 ("you" meaning the Corinthians who gave
relief ). Now based on 1 Peter 3:12; Proverbs 28:9; and John 9:31, Paul would not be commending
a vain prayer of non-members. The "unto all men" in 2 Corinthians 9:13 refers to "all" those
Christians who could pray to God in thanksgiving for the benefits of this relief effort. This is no
proof text for supporting non-members with Lord's money.
What was the cause of the affliction of church members in Jerusalem? Besides other possibilities,
perhaps there was the mounting drumbeat of war, and coming destruction of Jerusalem, as
prophesied by Jesus and in the old testament (Matthew 24:6-16; Daniel 9:27). Perhaps there was
the scattering and unrest of disturbed business and labor from persecutions (Matthew 5:11; 1 Peter
1:1; James 1:1). As stated in Little Orphan Anti - Part 1, this was an extraordinary need of saints,
but there was no ongoing institution set up, or middleman or agency. After the problem was solved,
then it was over, from saints giving, and by the grace of God (2 Corinthians 9:8-15).
perhaps there was the mounting drumbeat of war, and coming destruction of Jerusalem, as
prophesied by Jesus and in the old testament (Matthew 24:6-16; Daniel 9:27). Perhaps there was
the scattering and unrest of disturbed business and labor from persecutions (Matthew 5:11; 1 Peter
1:1; James 1:1). As stated in Little Orphan Anti - Part 1, this was an extraordinary need of saints,
but there was no ongoing institution set up, or middleman or agency. After the problem was solved,
then it was over, from saints giving, and by the grace of God (2 Corinthians 9:8-15).
3) The Pretext of misusing the word "all"
American Heritage Dictionary defining "pretext" says, "a professed purpose, an excuse." It comes
from Latin word meaning " to disguise, and to weave."
A while back I was treated, for my birthday, to a meal at a Hyatt Restaurant. The thick piece of
marinated meat, and tasty vegetables attractively arrayed on the platter, in a room filled with mid
and southwestern motifs, but especially the company of Christian friends, made it a wonderful
dinner. Without even thinking twice first, I told the waitress, "My compliments to all." Those were
my four words, said out of gratitude. In that particular context, I did not intend for the
waitress to go out into the streets, or to the villages, or nations, to offer compliments. When I said,
"My compliments to all," I had in mind:
American Heritage Dictionary defining "pretext" says, "a professed purpose, an excuse." It comes
from Latin word meaning " to disguise, and to weave."
A while back I was treated, for my birthday, to a meal at a Hyatt Restaurant. The thick piece of
marinated meat, and tasty vegetables attractively arrayed on the platter, in a room filled with mid
and southwestern motifs, but especially the company of Christian friends, made it a wonderful
dinner. Without even thinking twice first, I told the waitress, "My compliments to all." Those were
my four words, said out of gratitude. In that particular context, I did not intend for the
waitress to go out into the streets, or to the villages, or nations, to offer compliments. When I said,
"My compliments to all," I had in mind:
-the waitstaff, who serve
-the chefs, who cook
-the owners, who plan
-the managers, who oversee
-the chefs, who cook
-the owners, who plan
-the managers, who oversee
"All"
to whom
it
concerns
to whom
it
concerns
Granted, as in Acts 17:30, "all" means every accountable soul on earth. Likewise in Colossians
1:16 "all" includes every baby, boy, girl, man, and woman. The context demands it. That is why
God gave us a mind to think. We are commanded to "rightly divide" the word of truth (2 Timothy
2:15). It has been said, A text without a context is a mere pretext. Bear in mind that between us
and Bible people are some distances of time, culture, language (including figures of speech and
idioms), and translation. That is part of why God has placed evangelists, pastors, and teachers
(Ephesians 4:11); to help make it plain... In other scriptures, "all" must be limited by the context.
1:16 "all" includes every baby, boy, girl, man, and woman. The context demands it. That is why
God gave us a mind to think. We are commanded to "rightly divide" the word of truth (2 Timothy
2:15). It has been said, A text without a context is a mere pretext. Bear in mind that between us
and Bible people are some distances of time, culture, language (including figures of speech and
idioms), and translation. That is part of why God has placed evangelists, pastors, and teachers
(Ephesians 4:11); to help make it plain... In other scriptures, "all" must be limited by the context.
Acts 2:45. Possessions and goods were parted to "all (men)", as "every man" had need.
This "all" and this "every" means believers who had repented, been baptized and
continued steadfastly. The context shows this, Acts 2:37-38,41,42,44-46.
Acts 4:35. Again, here was another distribution brought to the apostles for "every man"
according as he had need. In Acts 4:32-37, the context is of among "them that believed"
(4:32) and had "all things in common" (4:32, including common salvation, Jude 3).
Contrary to what Marxists may say, there is no Communism here, and there is no
socialism agency. This was a voluntary freewill offering by members of the church, in
order to meet a clear and present "need" among believers (4:35).
This "all" and this "every" means believers who had repented, been baptized and
continued steadfastly. The context shows this, Acts 2:37-38,41,42,44-46.
Acts 4:35. Again, here was another distribution brought to the apostles for "every man"
according as he had need. In Acts 4:32-37, the context is of among "them that believed"
(4:32) and had "all things in common" (4:32, including common salvation, Jude 3).
Contrary to what Marxists may say, there is no Communism here, and there is no
socialism agency. This was a voluntary freewill offering by members of the church, in
order to meet a clear and present "need" among believers (4:35).
In the quote that began this article, the scripture given by the brother says nothing about orphans,
and nothing about supporting them out the church's collection treasury. It is about Jesus blessing
little children, and using their blamelessness as a lesson for us (see Goal page, "Accountable for
sin"). Also the above writer said of the "brothers who have forbid," that they have had these "vain
traditions" fostered "over the last fifty years." The reason he says "over the last fifty years" is
because before that, no Church of Christ would approve church treasury support of non-church
matters, although individual Christians have, do, and will address such (like the Good Samaritan,
who immediately helped out of his own pocket, Luke 10:25-37). But the real issue is not even 50
or 100 years ago. Our true authority was finalized 1900-plus years ago when the new testament
was complete and written. Our authority for what we do today must come from there; it must be
authorized. Instead of treating some famous tradition as though it were carved in stone, we should
put God's word above our own histories. We should accept it as, "It is written" (Matthew 4:4,7,10).
and nothing about supporting them out the church's collection treasury. It is about Jesus blessing
little children, and using their blamelessness as a lesson for us (see Goal page, "Accountable for
sin"). Also the above writer said of the "brothers who have forbid," that they have had these "vain
traditions" fostered "over the last fifty years." The reason he says "over the last fifty years" is
because before that, no Church of Christ would approve church treasury support of non-church
matters, although individual Christians have, do, and will address such (like the Good Samaritan,
who immediately helped out of his own pocket, Luke 10:25-37). But the real issue is not even 50
or 100 years ago. Our true authority was finalized 1900-plus years ago when the new testament
was complete and written. Our authority for what we do today must come from there; it must be
authorized. Instead of treating some famous tradition as though it were carved in stone, we should
put God's word above our own histories. We should accept it as, "It is written" (Matthew 4:4,7,10).
Stewarding money and resources in religion, we have the duty to obey God and to do Bible things
in Bible ways (1 Peter 4:11). The "social gospel" movement that hit the 20th century world, was
not from heaven, but of man. Contextually, Galatians 6:10 and 2 Corinthians 9:13 are about the
Christian doing good works, not authorizing church treasury support of societal institutions.
Following scripture to overcome traditions will be conflicted by men, but it brings success with
God. So once again the question is if souls will see it for their own selves; if one will overcome self
for the truth of Christ.
in Bible ways (1 Peter 4:11). The "social gospel" movement that hit the 20th century world, was
not from heaven, but of man. Contextually, Galatians 6:10 and 2 Corinthians 9:13 are about the
Christian doing good works, not authorizing church treasury support of societal institutions.
Following scripture to overcome traditions will be conflicted by men, but it brings success with
God. So once again the question is if souls will see it for their own selves; if one will overcome self
for the truth of Christ.
Copyright © 2005 Gratz Brown Policy
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