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Statement of Beliefs:
Providing for the Physical Needs of Others

November 28, 2013

We have started a discussion regarding a Statement of Beliefs for those who identify as First-Century Apostolic Christians, those of us who believe our practices are closely aligned to the practices of the first-century church. We began to look at how we believe that Christian faith includes a life of faith with works and that to live a live with one without the other is dead. Last week, we examined our belief that there is a need for obedience to God. On this Thanksgiving Day in the United States, we will study the following belief:

We believe in the need to provide for the physical needs of others, especially those of the household of faith.

Consider these verses:

James 2:14-17
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

James used the example of providing for the body to teach the need of faith to be joined with works.

Luke 6:1-11
And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days? And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him; How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone? And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him. But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it? And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other. And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

Jesus showed that doing good on the Sabbath was lawful and that one could provide food for themselves and others, heal, and save lives.

1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

Paul was collecting for the saints, and as this word is used in the Bible, refers to living Christians, and in this example the collection was for those living in Jerusalem.

Exodus 16:13-15
And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host. And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.

God provided manna for the children of Israel, and though the verses above do not show this, on Fridays, twice as much Manna could be collected as it would not be collected on the Sabbath. It is interesting to see the difference in this requirement with how Jesus defended his disciples in the corn field.

Matthew 6:15-34
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Jesus reminded his disciples of the need to focus our faith on God and to not be consumed by our worries showing that God knows our needs. God can provide for our needs any number of ways including using the works of others to fill our needs.

James 1:27
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

James defines pure and undefiled religion as visiting the fatherless and widows as they are in trouble and to remain pure from the evils in the world. When visiting with the fatherless and widows we must not only provide for their spiritual needs, but their physical needs as well.

1 Peter 4:8
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

The meaning of charity has changed through the years and recent translations would use the word love instead of charity, and it is incredible to consider the close connection between love and charity.

1 Timothy 1:5
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

The purpose of the commandments were that we have pure love for others, a good conscience and genuine faith, and at times this means we will provide for the physical needs of others.

Galatians 6:10
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Paul knew the importance of doing good for all men, especially to those of the household of faith. Our faith will lead us to do works, which can include providing for the physical needs of others.

On this Thanksgiving Day I pray you find yourself blessed with a bounty of food and as you have opportunity to share with others, please consider doing so, and as possible consider making a donation to your local food bank or rescue mission.

Living a life of faith and works as a Christian requires us to believe in the need to provide for the physical needs of others as warranted. There is much more to explore regarding this topic. A Statement of Beliefs is not intended to fully represent all of our beliefs, and is intended to provide a reasonable summary so that others can succinctly understand what we believe. It can also provide us with a reflective consideration of our own religious faith. The more we understand who we are and what we believe, the more we can help others understand who we are and what we believe, the more we will be able to celebrate what is good, embrace what is good, and do what is good.

All verses are from the King James Version.
This site provided by Tom Laign. To all who may believe differently, I also extend peace and love.
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