What is a benevolence fund?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

A benevolence fund is a practical way for a church to live out God’s call to generosity and compassion by providing financial or material support to those in need. Both the Old and New Testaments call us to care for those in need. In the Old Testament, God forbade His people from ignoring the needs of a poor person (Deuteronomy 15:7–8), and part of the Mosaic Law required people to avoid harvesting to the edge of their fields so that the poor might be able to take the gleanings (Leviticus 19:9–10). Such commands often ended with “I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:10), which connected those compassionate acts to who God is.

The New Testament also teaches such generosity. The early church shared resources, so no one was in need (Acts 2:44–45; 4:32–35). Some caveats were put on providing for the poor, such as the requirement that family members provide for their family (1 Timothy 5:8) and the admonition that people who are capable of working should do so (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

Benevolence funds are a tangible expression of faith (James 2:14-17). Churches setting aside resources and establishing guidelines for their use helps ensure that funds meet genuine needs responsibly while demonstrating Christ’s love in action (1 John 3:17-18; 2 Corinthians 9:7).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Old Testament emphasizes caring for those in need, including widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. Deuteronomy 15:7-8 says, “If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.”
• Leviticus 19:9-10 and Deuteronomy 24:19-21 teach leaving portions of crops and produce for the poor, reflecting God’s command to provide for others. Benevolence, whether with crops or money or meeting physical needs in some way, is a tangible expression of God’s justice and mercy.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Acts 2:44-45 and Acts 4:32-35 describe the early church sharing possessions so no one among them was in need, essentially the first form of a benevolence fund in a Christian context.
• Galatians 6:10 provides us with this principle in terms of giving to those in need: “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
• God calls us to care for those in need. First John 3:17–18 says, "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? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
• Second Corinthians 9:7 calls us to give and tells us that God loves a "cheerful giver."
• Giving is an expression of our faith. The apostle James wrote, “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:15-16).
• We’re also to be good stewards of what God has blessed us with (1 Peter 4:10), including our funds. In some circumstances, giving those funds may not be appropriate. For instance, if family members can provide for another family member in need, they should do so (1 Timothy 5:8), and if someone is poor because they simply don’t want to work, help should not be given to them (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Many churches maintain what is known as a benevolence fund. "Benevolence" refers to a feeling of kindness or goodwill or an act of kindness or charity. Most often benevolence funds are used to help people in the church or surrounding community through financially-difficult times.

A church committee usually creates stipulations regarding appropriate use of the funds. These guidelines are meant to ensure the church is following all relevant tax codes as well as ensure they are stewarding the funds well and helping those truly in need. The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability has some recommendations for churches or organizations seeking to establish benevolence funds.

No doubt Christians are called to care for those in need. Today, a benevolence fund can be an excellent way for a church to have finances set aside to help those in need and express God's love through tangible means.

UNDERSTAND

• A benevolence fund is a church-managed resource to help those in need.
• God calls us to care for those in need.
• Properly managed benevolence funds allow churches to meet genuine needs responsibly and help believers live out their faith through practical acts of service.

REFLECT

• How do you currently respond when you see someone in need?
• How does giving through a benevolence fund challenge you to trust God with your resources?
• How can you ensure that your acts of generosity reflect love in deed and not just in words?

ENGAGE

• How can we ensure that benevolence funds are used effectively and reach those truly in need?
• What can we do to embody God’s call to care for those in need and to be cheerful givers beyond just financial giving?
• How can we share resources as believers did in the early church in Acts 2 and 4, and what does doing this communicate to others looking in?