Ministering To The Saints Community Programs

Ministering to the Saints - A Bible Study

A compilation of scriptures with notes

by

Rev. Don McQuinn

Ministering to the Saints revised for distribution

PDF download

 Please consider the following scriptures that pertain to the topic of ministering to the saints!

Matt 5:42

42       Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Jesus taught giving.

Matt 7:12

12       Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

The golden rule “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”

Matt 10:38-39

38       And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

39       He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Following Jesus requires sacrifice.

Matt 19:20-30

20       The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

21       Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

22       But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

23       Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

24       And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

25       When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

26       But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

27       Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

28       And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

29       And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

30       But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

Jesus introduces the idea of selling possessions to give to the poor.

Rewards for forsaking houses and lands.

Matt 22:36-39

36       Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37       Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38       This is the first and great commandment.

39       And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Matt 25:31-46

31       When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

32       And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

33       And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

34       Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35       For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36       Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37       Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38       When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39       Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40       And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

41       Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

42       For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

43       I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

44       Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

45       Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

46       And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

We need to give as unto the Lord.

Luke 1:53

53       He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

Luke 3:8-14

8         Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

9         And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

10       And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?

11       He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

Fruits of repentance included ministering to the saints.

Luke 6:24-37

24       But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.

25       Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.

26       Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

27       But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

28       Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

29       And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.

30       Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

31       And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

32       For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

33       And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

34       And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

35       But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

36       Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

37       Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

Jesus talks about giving!

Luke 6:38

38       Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Rewards in giving.

Luke 11:41

41       But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

Give of the things we have.

Luke 12:33-35

33        Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

34       For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

35       Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

Luke 12:47-48

47       And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

48       But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

We who know God’s will, need to obey God’s will.

Luke 14:33

33       So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Did you catch that?

John 13:34-35

34       A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35       By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

We should let our light shine in our giving.

Acts 2:44-45

44       And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

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

Community spirit. Jesus and John the Baptist taught it, here it is in the Church!

Acts 4:32-35

32       And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

33       And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

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,

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

The great power that the Apostles had was in the midst of sacrifice and giving.

Acts 11:29-30

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

30       Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Give according to ability.

Rom 12:9-13

9         Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

10       Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

11       Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

12       Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

13        Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Give to meet needs taught!

Rom 15:25-28

25       But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

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

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.

28       When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.

Biblical example of ministering to the saints!

Our contributions to poor saints are fruit.

1 Cor 10:24

24       Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.

Our purpose should not be to get ahead but to help others get ahead!

1 Cor 16:1-3

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

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.

3         And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

Give according to how God hath prospered you.

This was for the poor saints at Jerusalem not tithing!

1 Cor 16:15

15       I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

Ministry of the saints can become an on purpose addiction.

Please note from here on the context of the gift of grace, grace, as well as references to proving the sincerity of our love or the proof of our love.

2 Cor 8:1-9:15

CHAPTER 8

1         Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

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.

3         For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

4         Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

5         And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

6         Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

7         Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

8         I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

9         For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

10       And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

11       Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.

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.

13        For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

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:

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

16       But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

17       For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.

18       And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;

19       And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

20       Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

21        Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

22       And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.

23       Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

24       Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

The gift of grace

Equality

The proof of your love

CHAPTER 9

1         For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

2         For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.

3         Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:

4         Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.

5         Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

6         But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

7          Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

8         And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

9         (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

10       Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

11       Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

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

13       Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;

14       And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

15       Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

The gift of grace

2 Cor 11:9

9         And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.

Gal 2:10

10       Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

Gal 5:13-14

13       For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

14       For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Gal 6:2

2         Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Gal 6:7-10

7        Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

8        For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9        And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

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

Ministering to the saints is a in the Church Ministry

Eph 4:28

28       Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Phil 2:4

4         Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Phil 2:29-30

29       Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:

30       Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

 Epaphroditus ministered to Paul!

Phil 4:10-18

10       But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

11       Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12       I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13       I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

14       Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

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.

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

17       Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

18       But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God.

Col 3:17

17       And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

1Thes 4:8-10

8         He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

9         But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

10       And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;

1 Tim 5:8

8         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.

1 Tim 5:16

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.

1 Tim 6:5-8

5         Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

6          But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7         For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8         And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Not exactly prosperity doctrine.

1 Tim 6:18-19

18       That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

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

Titus 2:14

14       Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Part of the Lord’s intent on the cross was for us to be zealous of good works!

Titus 3:8

8         This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Titus 3:14

14       And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

Heb 6:9-10

9         But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

10       For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Ministering to the saints accompanies salvation!

Heb 10:24

24       And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Heb 12:28

28       Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

We serve God with grace!

Heb 13:15-16

15       By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

16       But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

James 2:12-18

12       So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

13       For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

14       What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

15       If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16       And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

17       Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18       Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

James 4:17

17       Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

1 Pet 4:8-11

8         And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

9         Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

10        As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

11       If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

We receive the gift of grace not as something to hold to ourselves but as something to minister to others!

2 Pet 3:18

18       But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

I Jn 3:16-19

16       Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

17        But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

18       My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

19       And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

Matt 6:19-21

19       Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20       But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21       For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Note: Throughout the Old Testament there was always provision for the poor and the needy as well as the widows and fatherless!