THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS PURSE

II. Providing for One’s Family.

Text: "But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." --I Timothy 5:8

Under the claim of providing for one’s family is housed the sin of covetousness. Today, under this claim, many pastors have remained aligned with church denominations that have long ago betrayed the Gospel committed to their trust by allowing Christ-deniers, and God-haters to be recognized as "scholars" and "ministers." Such pastors are tied to their PENSIONS and other benefits.

The materialism of the age has caused well-meaning men to interpret the text to mean a man is an infidel --not only if he is lazy, but if he is industrious, yet whose industry grants him only pauper’s wages. Such is NOT the meaning of the text, nor has it been historically considered the meaning.

George Mueller ministered to the needs of 10,000 orphans; he printed Gospel tracts and was active in sending missionaries into six foreign countries. It is said that between one and three million dollars passed through his hands for the Work of God, but when he died his personal affects were valued at less than one hundred dollars. Shall we consider him an infidel?

Martin Luther was a tool God used to bring revival to Europe. Tens of thousands owed their knowledge of salvation to the Spirit of God Who activated the tongue and pen of this German reformer. Then he died leaving his wife and his six children. She remained at Wittenberg, the scene of her husband’s labors, yet much of this time was in poverty of the gravest sort. Now, whose responsibility was it to care for her? Every child of God! Yet, she suffered immeasurably. What injustice! What hardness of heart! If her husband had sown unto these people spiritual things, was it a great thing were he to receive their carnal things? Now tell me, was Luther an infidel because he left behind a poor family? It is the mentality of some, no doubt, that Luther should have been a fishmonger on the side, or perhaps a house painter!

In his life, John Calvin spent little money on himself, but gave generously to the needy. Consequently, when he died, he left behind only one hundred seventy dollars.

We could mention Philip Melancthon, John Bunyan, Thomas DeLaune, William MacDonald, and others -- all of whom nut no great value on money or possessions. Who would have the gall, the audacity to call these men infidels? Yet WE BUILD THE "TOMBS OF THE PROPHETS AND GARNISH THE SEPULCHRES OF THE RIGHTEOUS, AND SAY, ‘IF WE HAD BEEN IN THE DAY OF OUR FATHERS, WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN OF THEIR OPINION AGAINST THEM.’" We therefore conclude the interpretation of the text so common today is not historically accurate.

Let us again look at our text "But if any provide not for his own, and especially those of his own house, he hath denied the faith and is worse than an infidel." A serious look at the context before us tells us the subject is that of caring for widows: who’s duty is it to care for them? Paul says the responsibility lies first with the family, then with the church. But the materially-minded church of today passes its responsibility to the civil government, and allows Social Security to care for them. Is it the business of "Uncle Sam" to provide for the livelihood of Christian widows? Shame on us!

In verses 3-10, the Apostle Paul details how the church is to care for those that are widows indeed.

One last thought: It is a sin of appalling magnitude that Christian organizations—whether churches, schools, missions, or other—do not give a fair wage to the husband in the family, but expect their wives to work as well—just to make ends meet. This is another product of the materially-minded church caught up in a materialistic age.

THE NEXT ISSUE: "If it is proper for pastors to ‘forsake their nets’ of secular employment, then whose duty is it to care for them?"

WE URGENTLY NEED YOUR HELP!

You will note this issue of the ANGELUS is two months overdue. In the five years of its publication, we have never been so late. The reason is purely a financial one.

We urgently need $1500 to catch us up to date and to meet other current expenses.

We need 15 people willing to send us $100 each. Perhaps you could help us considerably. In any event, you can help us everyone by your groanings to God for us.

"...But as his part is that goeth down to battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff; they shall part alike." I Samuel 30:24

JULY

1, 1805--Ireland. Having declined all connection with the Synod of Ulster, Mr. Alexander Carson is forced to vacate his pulpit. He and his people are evicted from their church property. Today he writes, "As I go out like Abraham not knowing whither I go, may the blessing of Abraham come upon me, scan out my future lot and fix the bounds of my habitation. May I with confidence and cheerfulness trust myself, my wife and little ones to Thy Providence. O Lord, I know of all men I am naturally the most unfit for the perilous work which Thou hast called me; Lord, hear Thy servant on behalf of his dear relations; I entreat Thee also to bless my testimony for the conversion of the congregation in which I now labor. O that the Lord may have a church in this place.

4, 1821--Massachusetts. John Quincy Adams declares, "From the day of the Declaration, they (the American people) were bound by the laws of God, which they all, and by the laws of the Gospel, which they nearly all, acknowledged as the rules of their conduct."

His epitaph reads, " Here lies all that could die of John Quincy Adams."

10, 138 --Italy. At Baiae, one of the resorts of Julius Caesar, Nero and Pompey, Publius Aelius Hadrianus (Hadrian) dies. He leaves behind the "Pantheon", his temple to all the gods. When he erected a temple to Jupiter on the ruins of Jerusalem, the Jews revolted under the leadership of Bar Kokba. When finally suppressed, the Jews were forbidden to enter Jerusalem under pain of death.

11, 335 –Egypt. Because of his refusal to re-admit Arius into the church, Athanasius is forced into exile.

13, 1711 --England. Matthew Henry writes, "...Many have left us, and few been added."