Our church doesn’t have a written benevolence policy.
Nevertheless here are some thoughts in the matter of caring for the poor.
- The Bible seems to suggest that our benevolence ministry should be to church members in need first, and if able, we may help others in need. The context of Acts 6:1-6 and the original deacons indicates that when “the disciples (who) were increasing in number” complained that their ‘widows were being overlooked …” (verse 1), the deacons were selected. They were apparently selected to serve fellow believers. Other scripture suggesting benevolence for fellow believers: Acts 4:32-35; Philippians 4:10-16; 2 Thessalonians 3:4-5; 1 Timothy 5:3-16; James 2:15-26.
- Some sort of evaluation must be done in order to screen applicants. Decisions must be made between what is true need and what may be simply something that the applicant desires but is not essential. There is again, the general ‘law of the harvest’ where those who are foolish may reap poverty due to their own failure to plan for the future. Not that we do not need to have compassion but helping those who are unwilling to help themselves seems likely to encourage irresponsibility. Certainly, there are situations where the best of plans still come to nothing where, due to no fault of their own, some are thrown into poverty. We would not deny that there are true needs which believers should help with if they are able. But there is nothing noble about poverty - accountability is needed for the poor as well as the wealthy.
- The local church is unable to meet all needs due to limitations on its funds. In benevolent situations, where the church budget does not have enough funds to help, ought the deacons make benevolent needs within the congregation known so that individuals may make their own donations to that need above and beyond their own tithe? This is a question not resolved in my mind.
The Southern Baptists have developed a short booklet to
inform churches of some issues that may cause issues with the IRS (Federal
Internal Revenue Service). Excerpts follow (paraphrased in my own words):
a. At this time the IRS does allow churches to discriminate based on religion. However, a church may not discriminate due to ethnicity or sexual orientation alone. But a church may be specific about who is eligible for benevolence. In other words, it is legal to restrict benevolence to a specific area (Butts County), to only Christians, or to church members alone.b. The IRS does have a problem with those who are receiving assistance being involved in the process of deciding who gets benevolence. In other words, if the pastor were to be in charge of benevolence they might subject the church to legal action if he were to grant benevolent funds to himself or his family. At this time we are ‘small potatoes’ but if we were to be sued or a discrimination suit were to be placed against the church all these things would be brought to light.c. If the church were to face legal action accusing us of being unwilling to help due to improper discrimination due to race or other factors the church would need to demonstrate, either by its historical records or by a written document, that its practices are constantly applied and not due to any particular animosity toward the individual or class of individual. Again, we are ‘small potatoes’ but the future may hold many negative possibilities. Granted, the Lord is in charge but yet, we are responsible.
In the past our unwritten policy has been to only provide
benevolence to our own church members. Occasionally there will be unknown persons
who appear on Sunday mornings with benevolence requests. Since we are the ones
giving and they are the ones asking, we should ask where they attend church and
why their home church is unwilling or unable to help them. If the question
answered in the negative, then the general thought is ‘why should we give you
God’s money when you are unwilling to obey His command to join with other
believers in worship?’ Yes, that may sound harsh and lacking in compassion but
I still think it is a legitimate question. Though it would require several men
to accompany this individual to a store or gas station, I suggest we may consider
purchasing a meal or gas for them along with the gospel or a gospel tract. In
any case, giving cash to an unknown person seems folly and may encourage the
purchase of drugs or other harmful items. In the case of purchasing food or gas
for individuals we should ask to make a photo copy of their driver’s license or
other identification and make a note on that copy of the benevolence amount and
details about the purpose of the request.
We have placed this responsibility on the deacons. We have
reason to pray for them as they are the ones we have chosen to administer the
benevolence account and to care for the poor.
