9. Providing for Our Church Family

Most people dislike it when the head of the house fails to support his or her family. People have an obligation to supply the needs of their spouse and children.

Paul said, in 1 Tim 5:8 (KJV) "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."

This principle also applies to people who have divorced. They may separate from their spouse, but their former family still has spiritual, moral, and financial needs.

For example: Joe and Susan have several children, but they became unhappy with each other and a divorce ensued. Soon Joe shifted to another city. He occasionally sent money, and Susan worked. But she never had enough.

Then one day Joe stopped sending money, and Susan couldn't pay her debtors. The bank tried to take her house, and the electric company wanted to disconnect her power. You see, Joe had put his family in jeopardy.

We can also apply this principle to our support of the church and conference as well. It costs money to carry on the work of God. Will we give to meet the needs, or will our church and conference languish from non-support?

And so we see the stewardship of supporting our family and our church as well.