THERE ARE TWO VERSES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT FOR GIVING TO PREACHERS AND TEACHERS AND OVER THIRTY VERSES FOR HELPING THE POOR AND **ZERO **VERSES FOR GIVING FOR CHURCH BUILDINGS SINCE THE EARLY CHURCH HAD CHURCH IN THEIR HOMES**
Romans 16:5; ! Corinthians 1619; Colossians 4:15 and Philemon 1:2 shows that the early church held church in their own houses or homes!!
I Timothy 5:17,18: The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is **PREACHING AND TEACHING** {Which would also include prophets and evangelists} For Scripture says, "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages!"
I Corinthians 9:10,11,14: Whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you.... The Lord has commanded that those who preach the Gospel should receive their living from the Gospel!
Ephesians 4:7,11-14: To each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.... So Christ Himself {Not the churches} gives some to be **PROPHETS**, some to be **EVANGELISTS** and some to be **PASTORS** and **TEACHERS**, to equip His people for works of service , so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness in Christ!!
Acts 4:32: All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but **THEY SHARED **EVERYTHING** THEY HAD**!!
Acts 2:44,45: All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to everyone who had need!
Luke 18:20-25: Jesus said to the rich man, "You still lack one thing. Sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have **TREASURE IN HEAVEN**. Then come, **FOLLOW ME**. When he heard this he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle then for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God!"
NOTE: In addition to eternal life Jesus also promised the rich man **ETERNAL TEASURES IN HEAVEN**!!
Acts 10:30-32: Cornelius said, "Three days sgo I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before meand said, "Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered **YOUR GIFTS TO THE POOR**. Send to Joppa for Simon who is also called Peter!!
**JESUS PROMISES **ETERNAL REWARDS** OR **TREASURES IN HEAVEN**, NOT EARTHLY REWARDS, FOR HELPING OR SHARING WITH THE POOR AND NEEDY** AND ALL OTHER GOOD DEEDS!!
Matthew 6:1-4; 19-21: Jesus says, "When you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and the streets, to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret will **REWARD** you!"... "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves **TREASURES IN HEAVEN**, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your **TREASURE** is, there your **HEART** will be also!"
I Timothy 6:17-19: Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be **GENEROUS AND WILLING TO SHARE**. In this way they will lay up **TREASURE** for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, do that they may take hold of life that is truly life!
Luke 14:33,34: Jesus says, "When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be **BLESSED**! Although they cannot repay you, you will be **REPAID AT THE RESURRECTION** of the righteous!"
Romans 12:13: Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Ephesians 4:28: Work, doing something useful with your hands, so that you have **SOMETHING TO SHARE** with those in need! {**TO EARN ETERNAL HEAVENLY REWARDS AND NOT TO BECCOME PROSPEROUS**!!}
Romans 12:20,21: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink... Do not be overcome by evil, but **OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD**!
Luke 11:33,34: Jesus says, "Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a **TREASURE** IN HEAVEN** {Not Treasures on Earth} that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your **TREASURE** is, there your **HEART** will be also!"
2 Corinthians 9:6,7,9: Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. {With **TREASURES IN HEAVEN**} Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not relunctantly or under compulsion, for **GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER**!....As it is written: "They have scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteouness **ENDURES FOREVER**!"
Hebrews 13:16: Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices the Lord is pleased.
James 2:15,16: Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead!
