Questions and Answers (Part 7)

[Editor’s Note: These questions are from December, 2011 and January, 2012.]

Selling One’s Possessions

Question: “In Acts 2:41-45, we find the example of the first-century Christians on teaching, fellowshipping, breaking bread, prayer, etc. But in addition, they also showed the example of selling all their possessions and dividing all the proceeds among the congregation, which is also found clearly in Acts 4:32-35. How is this now not a “command by example” for us present day Christians?”

The fact that a certain action is recorded in the Scriptures does not mean that it is binding. Brethren met, took the Lord’s Supper, and Paul preached in an upper room. All of those things, then, are authorized, but not commanded. The command is to meet on the first day of the week to remember the Lord’s death. The place or the elevation of the place is irrelevant.

Speaking of Paul preaching until midnight, why is it that no brethren want to bind that? What the disciples did in Acts 2:46 authorizes such a practice, but it does not require it. Likewise, brethren had the desire to share all that they had and to sell possessions for the benefit of the church, but it was never a requirement. We know that it is not because there was no such commandment in Acts 2 or 4 stated, and there is no reference to such sharing (either voluntary or via command) in any of the letters.

Similarly, on this subject, the widow in Mark 12:41-44 gave all she had. Although such generosity is praiseworthy, Jesus did not bind it on His followers. Paul also commends brethren in Macedonia with giving “beyond their ability” (2 Cor. 8:1-5), but he makes no attempt to bind that heartfelt gift on all Christians. Some wonderful actions of first-century Christians, then, are authorized, but they are not commanded for all Christians to obey.

Unleavened Bread

Question: “What ingredients may or may not be used in making unleavened bread?”

We must approach this subject as we would any other. What are we authorized to do in the preparation of unleavened bread? The first occurrence of this subject is in Exodus 12:15-20. Nothing is said about what the ingredients are—the emphasis is upon what must be omitted—leaven.

We do not know what amount of flour was to be used. We do not even know the kind of flour (wheat, barley, oats, or rye). The appropriate question to ask is, “How did they usually make bread?” Those ingredients would be fine—again the emphasis is on the main thing to be omitted—leaven (or any leavening agent). In addition to flour, the women may have used a little oil; they may also have added a small amount of salt. These are what people commonly use today.

We do know that God allowed—even required salt with grain offerings (Lev. 2:13); so, it would be difficult to deny its use in unleavened bread. It is not a leavening agent; in fact, it prevents leavening from occurring. The phrase, “salt-rising bread” is misleading in that the salt prevents the yeast from rising immediately; it is not the cause of the bread rising. Oil does not cause fermentation, either—however, sugar or honey will; thus, it was forbidden in grain offerings (Lev. 2:11) and should not be used in unleavened bread, either. We should consider facts, and intent and be sure that we do what is authorized.

Who Owns the Kingdoms?

Question: “How do you reconcile these two ideas concerning who is in charge of this world? 1) Satan has been given control of all the kingdoms of the world (Luke 4:5-6). 2) God rules in the affairs of men and gives it to whomsoever He wills (Daniel 4:25).”

The truth is told by God. God rules in the affairs of men and raises up kingdoms to accomplish His purpose (Dan. 4:25). Satan said that all the kingdoms had been delivered to him, yet we know that he lies. If they had been delivered to him, there is only One who could have given them to him, and God might have done so in the same way that he gave up men in Romans 1. He could have given up the various kingdoms, also, for a time.

But usually Satan works through temptation and deceit. He convinced the Roman emperors, for example, that they were Deity (“Caesar is Lord”). The devil may have overstated his case some to Jesus. Although they belong to God, Satan certainly gains control of most of them through his deception. And his chief tool is that of pride. Most rulers are lifted up with it, just as Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, and Darius were.

God rules over all; He can lift up a kingdom, and He can destroy it. But the rulers of that kingdom either honor God or they do not. If they do not, they might appropriately be referred to as the kingdoms of the world or the kingdoms of the devil.

Degrees of Reward and Punishment

Questions: “Are there different degrees of heaven? Will the enjoyment of heaven be different for everyone depending on the ‘credits’ you have earned with your works on earth? Could you elaborate on this? Does not Matthew 20:1-16 contradict this idea? Or is this parable talking about something entirely different? Are there different degrees of hell as well?”

Let’s begin by pointing out that, no matter what the reward might be, heaven is the place that anyone in his right mind would want to be. No pain, no tears, no sorrow, no death. We learn to live with these things here because we have no choice, but they all take a toll on each one of us. Their absence will be greatly appreciated. On the other hand, to be cast into hell is not only something to be feared, it is to be avoided at all costs. Two lifetimes of total obedience to God would more than be worth the cost of avoiding that place.

Will there be degrees of punishment? First of all, we, as imperfect human beings, believe in and practice justice in this fashion. We do not punish someone who steals the same way as someone who murders. We do not even punish all murderers the same way. We have degrees of punishment—25 to life or perhaps the death penalty (less for manslaughter). Likewise, do Adolph Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and Pol Pot, all of whom killed millions, get the same punishment as one of your neighbors, who committed sins but never harmed anyone in his life? Granted, he didn’t help anyone spiritually, either, but he didn’t take their lives, giving them no opportunity to repent.

Some people have done vastly more harm to their fellow human beings in this world than others have. How many lives have been affected negatively by Charles Darwin? How many millions of souls have been destroyed by his theory? The same thing could be said of modernist and liberal theologians who have convinced religious people that it is all right to engage in corrupt behavior (2 Peter 2:1-22).

Luke 12:47-48 talks about the ungodly being beaten with few or many stripes. Teachers shall be judged with greater strictness (James 3:1). For those who were converted and then fall away, the latter end is worse for them than the former (2 Peter 2:20-22). Worse implies a comparison.

What about degrees of reward in heaven? If there are degrees of punishment, how could there not, in all consistency, be degrees of reward in heaven as well? Do we not do the same on earth? If not, then why are students given the different grades of A, B, C, D, & F? If skills and expertise are not rewarded, why do some make minimum wage and others millions of dollars?

In Matthew 25:14-30, different men were given different amounts and different rewards, according to their ability. The same is true in Luke 19:14-24. Why do people not like to think that others might be rewarded more than they are? Usually, it is due to jealousy and envy. But those in heaven are spiritually-minded. Will anyone mind if the apostles are rewarded more than himself? God’s judgment is always just. Whatever reward and honor someone has, he will have deserved it—unlike what we sometimes see here, where the incompetent and the unqualified are often promoted.

Now what about Matthew 20:1-16, which is the passage usually cited to prove that all people receive the exact same reward? The landowner did pay everyone the exact same amount, no matter how many hours they worked during the day. But this part of the parable is not discussing degrees of reward—but rather that all can be saved, period.

This all began with a discussion in Matthew 19:23-26. Afterward, Peter asked what the apostles would receive for their reward as a result of their sacrifices (v. 27). Jesus answered in verses 28-30 that they would receive a hundredfold in this lifetime; they would also sit on one of twelve thrones.

But what about those followers who did not give up all that they had? Would they be saved? The point of 20:1-16 is that all who are followers are saved; they all receive heaven. Some may labor more years than others; some will suffer and be persecuted longer than others. But all get the reward of heaven. Other verses speak of greater rewards, and some will have a higher ranking than others, but no one will complain because all will know that God is just and rewards appropriately. No jealousy will exist.

The most important thing to know about heaven is that it is the one place where one needs to be—no matter what the cost. God gives us the opportunity to hear the gospel—most of us many, many times—set forth in clear terms. But God cannot obey for us; we must have the desire to obey and the willingness to serve. Naturally, we would all like to have a great reward, but we will be grateful to be in heaven, period. Even the last one in line going in will be most appreciative. We should all share in Paul’s attitude and press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13-14).

Welfare

Question: “1 Timothy 5:8. Should Christians be on welfare or should their family support them? Shouldn’t parents, children, grandparents provide for their own needs if a Christian is unable?”

This verse is written to those in the church. A person’s family ought to support them—yes. If the church is to support a widow indeed, there are qualifications that Paul sets forth (1 Tim. 5:9-10). However, it is not the church’s responsibility to support any other group, although we always try to help some individuals who are in need (Gal. 6:10). We cannot help everyone. We have constant requests to pay non-members’ rent, utilities, car payments, etc. We would soon have no money to send to those who are preaching the gospel, and people would still be clamoring for more money. So, we must use what we have judiciously.

The government has the same problem. The idea of helping citizens was born out of compassion, but welfare is now costing far more than anyone originally bargained for. “Food stamp spending has more than doubled since 2007, rising from $33,000,000,000 to $77,000,000,000. Half of that goes to people who have been on food stamps for more than 8 years” (113). Is it possible some may be taking advantage?

Should a Christian be on welfare? Ideally, no, but none of us can legislate for another. If we know that a brother or sister is defrauding the government, we should admonish him to cease immediately because it is just as wrong to steal from the government as it is God, a bank, or a neighbor. But otherwise, a Christian (like anyone else) may be entitled to receive support. Each person best knows his own needs.