Notice that in all 9 passages which have to do with a church providing material goods, the ones receiving those goods were needy Christians.To say it another way, in every instance of a church using the Lord’s money to relieve those who were poor, it was limited to Christians who were poor.Sometimes this is called “limited benevolence.”Consider some arguments which have been made:Acts 2:46 - “The early church broke bread from house to house.”Some argue that the early Christians were living in a communal fashion through the church treasury.This is not a valid conclusion. They could have simply been sharing meals with each other.James 1:27 - “Can’t the church practice pure and undefiled religion?”This verse is talking about individual responsibilities.Compare this verse to I Timothy 5:16.Luke 10:30-37 - “Jesus taught us to do the same as the good Samaritan.”This is directed to individuals, not churches.II Corinthians 9:13 - “Paul said the money went to ‘them’ (needy saints) and to ‘all’ (others).”This interpretation conflicts with other passages where it is repeatedly stated that this money was for the saints.
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