A. Obligation to support fulltime workers & missionaries:

ROM 15:27. It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.

1COR 9:6. Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?

1COR 9:7. Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

1COR 9:8. Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?

1COR 9:9. For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

1COR 9:10. Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

1COR 9:11. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

GAL 6:6. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

1TIM 5:17. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

1TIM 5:18. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

3JO 1:7. Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

3JO 1:8. We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

B. Examples of giving to needy fellow Christians:

ROM 15:26. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

GAL 6:10. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

PHI 4:15. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

PHI 4:16. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

1COR 16:1. Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

2COR 9:12. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

C. Everyone to give according to their ability:

DEU 16:17. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.

ACT 11:29. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:

1COR 16:2. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

2COR 8:12. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

D. Wealthy Christians especially obligated to give:

LUK 8:3. And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

2COR 8:14. But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:

2COR 8:15. As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

1TIM 6:17. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

1TIM 6:18. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

1TIM 6:19. Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

2TIM 1:16. The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

2TIM 1:17. But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

2TIM 1:18. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

PHLM 1:7. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

E. Giving to the church which redistributes:

ACT 2:44. And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

ACT 2:45. And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

ACT 4:34. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

ACT 4:35. And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

ACT 6:1. And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

1TIM 5:4. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

1TIM 5:16. If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

F. Even poor believers encouraged to give:

1KI 17:9. Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.

1KI 17:10. So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.

1KI 17:11. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.

1KI 17:12. And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.

1KI 17:13. And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.

1KI 17:14. For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.

1KI 17:15. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.

1KI 17:16. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.

MAR 12:43. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

MAR 12:44. For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

2COR 8:1. Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

2COR 8:2. How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

2COR 8:3. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;