Question
How does one balance charity between family and non-family? Everything equal, does the Bible suggest that family comes before non-family?
Answer
By charity, I assume you mean contributing to the needs of others. Rather than being selfish, Christians are supposed to engage in work for the purpose of providing for the need of others. Eph. 4:28. As far as priorities are concerned, we are to help our families above all. If we do not do this, Paul says we are worse than unbelievers. Even, they recognize that one should provide for the needs of his own family first. 1 Tim. 5:8.
However, after meeting the needs of our families, we should be ready and willing to provide for the needs of others. Matt. 7:12, Luke 10:25-37. However, again, we are to set priorities and seek to help those who are Christians first and then even those who are not, as we have opportunity to do so. Gal. 6:10, James 1:27.
As to method of providing for others, we can act individually as Paul did (Acts 20:33-35) or we act as local congregations (contributing money on every Sunday for the purpose of helping other Christians). 1 Cor. 16:1-4, 2 Cor. 8-9. These contributions should be given from the heart as we have been prospered. No one should be compelled to give any specific amount of money. 2 Cor. 9:6-7.
However, there is no evidence that local churches collected money together to aid those who were not Christians. Also, there is no evidence that local churches collected money for the social, recreational and other nonessential needs of Christians. The individual was to provide for these things as well as the basic necessities of his family. It is when he could not do this that a local church or churches was to get involved in providing money for others” needs. 1 Tim. 5:1-16, especially verse 16.
Finally, although we are to generously give to others, especially Christians, we are not to place ourselves in a position where we are not able to provide for our own families. They are to be our first priority. 2 Cor. 8:12-16.
By Gary Hunt
