What is a benevolence fund?

Answer

Benevolence is the inclination to assist someone or a sense of goodwill toward others. It can also denote an act of kindness or charity. Nowadays, many churches uphold a “benevolence fund,” which is a financial reserve set aside to support those in need. Typically, this fund is utilized to assist families facing unforeseen or substantial medical expenses, individuals affected by natural disasters, the jobless, the underemployed, and others in comparable situations.

The management of a benevolence fund is commonly entrusted to a committee that ensures the funds are distributed equitably and to individuals genuinely in need. Due to varying tax regulations, this committee must also verify that contributors to the fund are doing so lawfully. The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) offers guidance to Christian organizations seeking to correctly establish and oversee a benevolence fund in accordance with U.S. tax laws.

The obligation to support the less fortunate is evident throughout the Bible. In Matthew 25:34–40, Jesus underscores the importance of benevolence in the name of God. John queries, “If anyone has material possessions and observes his brother in need but lacks compassion for him, how can the love of God abide in him?” (1 John 3:17-18). “God loves a cheerful giver” «Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. », (2 Corinthians 9:7). Maintaining a benevolence fund is one method to assist those seeking help from the church during challenging times.