There are some in
the body of Christ who seem to think that charity should be limitless. I agree and disagree at the same time. I agree from the standpoint that those of us
who are followers of Christ should always be giving people. Giving of our time. Giving of our talents. And giving of our money.
On the other hand I
believe Scripture is very clear that on a case by case basis, there are some
who do not deserve charity. Now the
example I use is from 1 Timothy 5. In it
Paul is referring specifically to widows but I think it can be used as
instruction of a wider principal. Here
is what I am talking about.
1 Timothy 5:9-14(NKJV)
Do not let a widow
under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man,
well reported for
good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she
has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has
diligently followed every good work.
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OK, Paul clearly
puts a limit on which widows deserve charity.
Therefore the principal that there are some who do and don't deserve
charity is established. But would could
be a justifiable reason for denying that charity? Paul goes on to explain.
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But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun
to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,
having condemnation
because they have cast off their first faith.
And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from
house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying
things which they ought not.
Therefore I desire
that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house,
give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
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Isn't it interesting
that the issue here is idleness and the bad things that leads to. My point is that there is nothing wrong with
limits on charity at the individual level.
I think those providing the charity have every right to determine who
qualifies for that charity. Make
sense?
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