12:14 Can this scripture be used to justify the teaching by some in the church that Christians must set aside reserves to meet their family's future needs?
12:14 Can this scripture be used to justify the teaching by some in the church that Christians must set aside reserves to meet their family's future needs?
No! When studied in its context, it is plainly evident that this verse has nothing whatever to do with the teaching that Christians must set aside reserves to meet their family's future needs (CP 2Cor11:8-11; 12:12-17).
These scriptures are dealing with the subject of Paul's current financial support by the Corinthian Christians, not his future needs. Paul had the right to be supported by them financially, but he refused to exercise that right (CP 1Cor 9:1-15).
Paul was only interested in the Corinthian's salvation, not their financial support, which is what he was emphasizing in 2Cor 12:14. Paul saw himself as a parent to the Corinthian Christians - he was their father in the faith (CP 1Cor 4:15; 2Cor 6:11-13).
Another verse used to justify Christians setting aside reserves for their family's future needs is 1Ti 5:8 (CP 1Ti 5:8).
But, again, when studied in its context, it is plainly evident that this verse also has nothing whatever to do with the teaching that Christians must set aside reserves for their family's future needs (CP V3-10, 16).
Here again Paul is not talking about future needs, but the day to day care of the widows. Paul insists that their Christian relatives must care for them, or they are worse than unbelievers.
Still another scripture used to teach that Christians must make provision for their family's future needs is Pr 6:6-8 (CP Pr 6:6-8).
We see here that the ant makes provision for the future, and Christians are taught that they must do the same on the basis that sluggards are told here to imitate the ant. But again, when studied in its context we see that it also cannot be used to teach that Christians must set aside reserves for their family's future needs (CP V6-11).
This passage is addressing sluggards who do no work at all, not Christians who provide for their family's day to day needs. It is teaching that sluggards should imitate the industriousness of ants who carry out life's work without being forced to do so by a guide, overseer or ruler.
It has nothing whatever to do with Christians having to make provision for their family's future needs.
To teach that Christians must set aside reserves for their family's future needs is totally unscriptural and in fact contradicts what Jesus himself teaches (CP Mt 6:19-21, 25-34, Php 4:6; 1Ti 6:6-8; He 13:5-6; 1Pe 5:6-7)
None of this is teaching however, that Christians are prohibited from providing a family home and the necessities of life for their family (CP Psa 112:1-3; Pr 8:21; 21:20).
But Christians are forbidden setting aside reserves for future needs because that could become the focus of their life.
Then they would no longer see life from the vantage point of eternity. Their goal and fulfilment would no longer be in God, but in themselves and the wealth they have set aside for future needs.
The word conversation in He 13:5 (KJV), means manner, or way of life. This teaches that a Christian's way of life has to be without the desire for more than that which will satisfy their everyday needs. Then they can boldly say, as V6 says, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me" (CP V6).
See also comments on Mt 6:24; Lu 12:16-21, 12:33-34; 1Ti 6:6-10 and He 13:5-6 and author's study Christians and Wealth in his book Foundational Truths of the Christian Faith and Christians - Flee from Idolatry in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 2).