The Church is Not a Charity

The title of this article may seem odd to you. It seems that most people – both religious and non-religious – view churches as, at least in part, charitable organizations. Many churches have programs and “ministries” that are designed to provide aid to the poor in their communities. Often these churches also conduct “mission trips” to various parts of the world to provide food, clothing, medicine, and more to those in third world countries. Such practices are so common that people with either ongoing or immediate financial needs seek assistance from churches in their communities.

The congregation where I preach has no program, no funds, and no intention to provide such charitable help to those in the community. The reason for this is not that we have no concern for the poor. Instead, it is because we are concerned with following the pattern found in the New Testament (cf. 2 Timothy 1:13; Colossians 3:17). Below are the reasons why the church is not a charity.

Jesus Did Not Intend for His Church to Be a Charity

Jesus told His apostles, “I will build My church” (Matthew 16:18). Following His resurrection, He spent forty days instructing them about His church that would be established on the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:3). The apostles were promised help from the Holy Spirit who would “bring to [their] remembrance all that [Jesus] said to [them]” (John 14:26). If Jesus intended for His church to be a charity, He would have instructed His apostles accordingly. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit would have reminded them of this responsibility in case they forgot. Yet nowhere in the New Testament do we read of churches ever providing charitable aid to the needy in their communities.

The Church Has Been Given a Different Work

The Lord has given His church a two-fold work – evangelism and edification. Evangelism involves proclaiming the gospel, as “it is the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16). Local churches are expected to be “the pillar and support of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15) as “the word of the Lord [is] sounded forth from [them]” (1 Thessalonians 1:8). Edification has to do with the building up of Christians. Paul described the local church as a self-edifying body (Ephesians 4:16). This edification is carried out primarily through the assemblies (Hebrews 10:24-25) and the teaching of the word of God (Acts 20:32).

There Are Limitations Placed upon Church Benevolence

In many churches of men, charitable works have been made to be primary, ongoing functions of their congregations. In the Lord’s church, benevolence is not a primary, ongoing function, but is authorized to a limited degree under extreme circumstances. One point we notice when we read through the New Testament is that any benevolence that was done by a church was only for Christians (Acts 4:32-35; 11:29; Romans 15:26; 1 Corinthians 16:1; 2 Corinthians 8:4; 9:12) – it was never provided for non-Christians. Furthermore, such benevolence was not a regular work of the church, but was only done under exceptional circumstances – the hardship that existed when many foreigners obeyed the gospel at the establishment of the church and extended their stay in Jerusalem longer than they would have planned (Acts 4:32-35); a famine that would impact people “all over the world” (Acts 11:27-30); older widows who met certain qualifications and had absolutely no family to care for them (1 Timothy 5:3-16). Far from being a charitable organization, the church was very limited in any work of benevolence.

God Expects Individuals to Provide Help to Others

Just because the Lord did not give His church the work of helping the poor does not mean that He was/is unconcerned with the hardships of the poor. But instead of giving His church the responsibility to provide charitable help to the needy, He gave that responsibility to individuals. In speaking of the responsibility of individual Christians, Paul said, “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). James wrote, “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world” (James 1:26-27). Many try to use this passage to argue that churches ought to provide aid to orphans and widows. Yet this passage is clearly speaking of individual action, rather than collective/church action. This is made clear by the use of the pronouns in the passage (anyone, himself, his, this man’s, oneself). The Lord expects individuals to do the work of benevolence so that “the church [will] not be burdened” (1 Timothy 5:16).

Conclusion

There is no point in questioning the motives of those who have turned their churches into charitable organizations. More than likely, the majority have a sincere desire to help the poor. This desire is good. When Paul and Barnabas were asked to “remember the poor” as they traveled, Paul said, “I also was eager to do” this (Galatians 2:10). However, it is important that we “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17). He has given His church the works of evangelism and edification. He has authorized churches to engage in limited benevolent efforts. He expects His people, as individuals, to do good and to help those who are in need as they have the opportunity and ability to do so (Ephesians 4:28; Galatians 6:10).