A Discussion Of A Panel Discussion
In the lectureship at Abilene Christian College, Feb. 20-24, 1955, a panel discussion was held on the general subject of, "Doing all in the name of the Lord." The general subject was divided into four sub-topics, each of which was discussed by one of the four men who composed the panel. We wish to deal particularly with only one of the sub-topics which was this: "Must a Christian do all his benevolent work through the church treasury?" Brother Ira North, Nashville, Tennessee, was assigned to that part of the discussion and in the course of his statement he advanced the idea that there were two extreme views of the matter. One extreme was that all of a Christian's benevolent work was to be done through the church treasury and the other extreme was that all of it was to be done independent of the church treasury. He further stated that, as usual, the truth lay between the two extremes. And I take no issue with Brother North thus far. But the place where I do take issue with him is in the fact that he did not tell us where between the two extremes the truth lay. According to his representation of the subject, he did not establish the fact by the scriptures that either view was extreme but that all of it was a matter of human judgment. He then proceeded to give his own judgment on it and that was that all which circumstances (human) would allow to be done through the treasury, should be done in that way.
When it came time for the audience to participate in the discussion by directing questions to any of the men on the panel, I proposed to advance a question. I realized that little could be done in this way to correct a mistaken idea of the subject, but I proposed to take advantage of what opportunity was afforded. But alas, when I raised my hand, I failed to gain recognition. Here is the question or combination of questions which I meant to direct to Brother North. Does the New Testament place any limitation on the work to be done through the treasury? And if your answer is no, then what are we to do with such scriptures as we find recorded in 1 Timothy 5? Those of us who have read and studied the New Testament scriptures, know that these matters are not to be governed by human judgment but by the word of the Lord. We also know that to do things in the name of the Lord, is to do them by his authority. If the Lord commands a thing to be done and does not give any rules to follow, then we must use our judgment in doing them. But where rules are given, even though they are limited, we must follow them as far as they go.
It seems that some brethren can speak out very boldly and emphatically upon spiritual things today without seeming to feel the need at all to sustain their statements with scriptural proof.