The ministry of mercy, or benevolence, is the church’s effort to meet the needs of those who are down and out. While ideas such as illiteracy, poor heath and other related issues are often found under the umbrella of benevolence, it almost always involves meeting financial needs. In theory, most Christians agree that the church should be doing something to meet the needs of the poor both inside and outside of the congregation. Some even chide the church for the lack of giving: “If the church did its job there would be no need for government programs.” The purpose of this short series is not to solve all of the problems of benevolence. My only desire is to ask and answer three questions. 1) Does the Bible mandate benevolence? 2) If so, what are some of the logistical problems that churches will face in carrying out the mandate? 3) What are some guidelines that may help a church work through these issues?

Does the Bible mandate that Christian churches give money to the poor? Though there are many ways to categorize the verses that speak to this issue, for the purpose of this question we offer two: biblical examples and passage that show or suggest a mandate.

Examples:
We begin by noting that the Scriptures give us numerous examples of benevolence. Below is a small sample.

• In the Law God tells the Israelites not to pick the corners of their fields (Lev. 19:9), go over their fields a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen (Lev. 19:10). These are for the strangers and poor. The story of Ruth serves as a good example (Ruth 2:2, 15).
• The Widow of Zarephath ministers to Elijah (I Ki. 17).
• The Proverbs 31 woman had a ministry to the poor (v. 20).
• Jesus feeding of the 5000 is recorded in all four Gospels (Matt. 14:15-21, Mark 6:31-24, Luke 9:10-17 and John 6:5-15). A second miracle, feeing of the 4000 is recorded by Mark (8:1-9) and Matthew (15:32-39).
• The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).
• Paul encouraged involvement from the churches that he planted for a Jerusalem offering (Rom. 15:26, 2 Cor. 8-9).
• When Peter, James and John give Paul the right hand of fellowship they encourage him to give to the poor. Paul’s reply is telling: “[T]he very thing I was eager to do” (Gal. 2:10).
• A disciple in Joppa, Tabitha, had a ministry of helps to the poor (Acts 9:36).
• Cornelius is commended for his prayer and gifts to the poor (Acts 10:4).

Mandates:
In addition to the above examples, the New Testament appears to assume and, in some verses, mandate benevolence giving.

• James describes perfect religion as ministry to widows and orphans (Jam. 1:27). No doubt this involved meeting financial needs.
• Through the words of Jesus Matthew puts alms in a similar category as prayer and fasting (Matt. 6).
• I John 3:17 is telling: “But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?”
• Paul commands Timothy and the church to “honor” widows that are widows indeed