Another Repudiation
I have indicated in at least one, perhaps many more, articles that I believe that churches of Christ may scripturally contribute from the treasury of the church to the needs of those outside the church of the Lord. I hereby acknowledge that I cannot find any scripture in the New Testament to sustain that position. All scriptures I can find clearly show that when Christians acted collectively through the elders, and the congregational organization, the recipients of the relief were always saints.
I am also convinced that I, and perhaps many others, have neglected to teach as much and as emphatically as it ought to be taught that individuals should be much more alert and active in benevolent work than we are. We need many more people like Dorcas, Epaphroditus, and others whose work will always be an inspiration to the faithful disciples of Christ. James 1:27 should be practiced more commonly and more generously than I can see it practiced today by Christians. But on the other hand, Christians should be zealous to respond when a call similar to that in Acts 11 demands collective action.
A brother whom I have never seen wrote to me and called my attention to this matter, and I thank him for it, as I have thanked him in a personal letter.