The first century church shared all they had, even selling some of it to help others.
The difference between the giving of the first century church and governmental socialism, is that the church gave as they felt led, no one took from them. They gave to those who were truly deserving, not dead beats who refused to work or those who have lived immorally and created their own poverty by their rebellion.
God has instructed us to evaluate a brothers need, that we not be enabling laziness through our giving.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 "For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either."
1 Timothy 5:8 "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
Proverbs 10:4 "A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich."
Proverbs 6:9-11 "How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man."
Proverbs 13:4 "The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied."
Our culture is getting worse all the time, we have taken on the foolishness of rewarding the lazy and stealing from the diligent. When the culture has left the principles of Christ behind, we will see the devastating affects of that rebellion.
Proverbs 28:19 "Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty."
Proverbs 18:9 "Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys."
Those who live in poverty because of their sinful lifestyle, who refuse to listen to counsel from God's Word and who reject any form of correction, will see very hard days. No one should bail them out of their difficulties, it is God's lesson to them, if they have to go through the consequences of their actions and attitudes, they may learn from it.
Proverbs 13:1 "A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke."
God tells us to work hard, earning our own living and being a blessing to others.
Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,"
Ephesians 4:28 "
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth"
Laziness in our work is only one way we can be lazy, another way is in our spiritual life. We can neglect Bible reading and prayer to pursue pleasure.
We can neglect broken relationships to avoid difficult situations, rather than seeking peace through reconciliation God's way, we run away and hide, pretending everyone will just get over or forget what transpired.
A lazy person is usually lazy in everything, there is leanness to their soul that prevents them from doing what is righteous in favor of doing what is easiest, usually running from responsibility in all it's forms.
If we are believers, we should want to be seeking to please God in all our ways. Our witness in the world is more important to us than comfort.
Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."
If we evaluate all that we do in terms of God's principles, we may not always be comfortable, but we will be blessed, walking through life with a unencumbered conscience.
Jeremiah 14:14 "14 And the Lord said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds."
1 Corinthians 4:6 "Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us YOU MAY LEARN NOT TO EXCEED WHAT IS WRITTEN, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other."
Summary: We are forbidden to foretell the future under any circumstances and we are not to prophesy what is not in the Word of God.
I don't like it when someone comes up to me and says "I have a word from the Lord for you, it is not Biblical and these kinds of "revelations" are expressly against the Word of God.
First there are no new revelations, everything we need to know is in the Word of God. When someone says "God told me to tell you this", I tell them that God did not do that because, when He has a direction or encouragement for me, He tells me.
1 Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,"
If anyone tries to tell me that God said something for my future I tell them that what they are doing is divination and it is forbidden by God.
Jeremiah 14:14 "14 And the Lord said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds."
If we do not have a 501c3 status with the IRS and we do not meet in "Church buildings", we will not have to worry about the government monitoring our activities in the gatherings.
The unbiblical practice of building structures to meet in and having tax exempt status has created problems that do not have to be there, a sort of "being in league with the devil", condition.
If we were to do as the first century church did, meet in homes, and do not register with the government, then the government wouldn't even know we existed, except that they might see the good works that we do in the community.
Instead of monies going to building maintenance and unnecessary church programs, all the funds gathered would go to missionaries, tracts and Bibles for every member to use in their daily lives, for the unsaved.
The way the American church "does church" is not only unbiblical but superficial, fostering a "happy club" mentality more than holiness.
Acts 14:23 "When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed."
Titus 1:5 "For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,"
1 Timothy 3:1-16 "The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?"
Acts 6:3 "Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty."
Matthew 23:8-10 "But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ."
1 Timothy 5:17 "Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching."
Notice in 1 Timothy that the church had several who preach and teach and no one man had authority over the entire congregation. Also, notice the plurality of leadership mentioned in Philippians 1. Notice too, that the men that were appointed to the task of elder, were chosen from among their own people locally.
Philippians 1:1 "Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:"
What a change we would see in the church gatherings if everyone were moved by the Holy Spirit to do things the way the Lord intended. We would see two things, the first would be the removal of many problems brought on by ritual and the second is an increase in trials associated with those who refuse to follow the Bible. Once the dust settled after beginning to obey God, there would be holiness and peace where there was chaos and turmoil before.
The church will never be free of difficulties as long as people are involved, However, at least there would be the absence of stifling ritual that brings great burden. And, the people left would be the ones completely dedicated to obedience to the Word.
How many people have felt burned out at all the continual activity associated with planning massive agendas for nearly meaningless activities. There is great peace in keeping things simple, and that is God's plan, simple and peaceful, resting in Him alone, unencumbered by the social prattle that seems to dominate many if not most church gatherings.
Simple, Free and Restful, that is God's way!
Have you ever tried to remove too much salt from stew by adding more things, can't seem to tone down that saltiness.
Salt, has flavor, preserves, stings in a wound and never goes away, just changes form.
Matthew 5:13-16
Believers Are Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
1 Corinthians 15:33 "Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."
God says that we are weak, because of that we must surround ourselves with those who love Christ.
2 Corinthians 6:17 "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,"
Colosians 2:8 "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."
1 Corinthians 2:14 "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned."
Ephesians 5:11 "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."
When we have ungodly friends, if we are bold with them about the truth, they will run away most of the time. Very rarely does an ungodly person enjoy the company of those who are sold out to Christ.
If a believer can maintain a friendship with an ungodly person, then the believer is most likely compromising and capitulating to the ungodly person.
Those who brag that they have many ungodly friends, love the lifestyle of those friends, or they would be disgusted and run from it.
Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
Proverbs 4:23 "Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life."
For all you young ladies who have boyfriends:
Pushing, shoving, manipulating and intimidating is not leading!
1 Peter 3:7
"7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered."
Test your fella, say no to him occasionally when you really want to say no, of course with kindness and joyful spirit, and watch how he responds.
How does he react when you express your concerns or desires? Does he listen intently to discover who you are, or does he act disinterested and condescending?
A true leader who is deeply in love with a woman, will be gentle, considerate, selfless and attentive.
Luke 22:26 ""But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant."
Leading is far different from tyranny. A leader enjoys seeing those they love succeed. A narcissist is only interested in conquering others that they might be elevated.
A narcissist will display often a sense of superiority, treating others as though they have nothing to offer or don't know what they are talking about.
This personality will dominate conversations, refuse to listen to others and make you glad when they leave.
They demand their way and punish anyone who will not give into them.
When they cannot control others they will leave.
Proverbs 28:1 "The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion."
They are envious and will even sabotage any attempt on the part of others to be successful. They do not compliment others for their work or accomplishments, but require everyone around them to praise them.
These people will never accept blame or confess their own wrong.
James 5:16 "Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."
When they have been caught in a sin, no matter how small they will be angry as though it is unjust.
Narcissists do not have the ability to laugh at themselves, they will mock others but will be angry when someone else teases them.
They will not laugh at any one else's humor, but will laugh when the think they say something funny. Something very interesting to me that I have observed, is that they tend to laugh at the injuries of others.
When someone trips over a chair, they will laugh and not bother to help the person up from the floor. I have actually seen this happen a number of times. Their humor is based on seeing others fail.
The mentality that loves to see others fail while elevating self, is frightening, because some of these people claim to be Christians. How can someone who loves God, and has been broken over their own sin think in this way?
A religious narcissist will have a form of religion but will be mechanical in it, with very little fervency or dedication to more than minimal prayers and even childish incantations.
In conclusion, ask the Lord to show you everything and even warn you, so that you can make a wise decision in whether or not to marry a boyfriend. If God warns you, do not hang around to just be friends, get away fast before your emotional love completely over takes you.
When we have "fallen in love", emotionally, all sense leaves our heads, we ignore and minimize many things that will be big problems in marriage.
I once heard it said, and I believe this is true, that "every character flaw we see before marriage is magnified one hundred fold after marriage." What seems unimportant now, will be a raging fire after one is married.
Read God's Word, pray and seek to learn the inner character of a man before making that life long commitment in marriage.
