In the context of the Bible, "distributing" often refers to the act of sharing or allocating resources, goods, or responsibilities among individuals or groups. This concept is deeply rooted in the biblical principles of generosity, stewardship, and community support. The act of distributing is seen as a reflection of God's provision and care for His people, and it is encouraged as a way to demonstrate love and compassion towards others.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament provides several instances where distributing is highlighted as a key aspect of community life and religious practice. In the Mosaic Law, the Israelites were instructed to distribute resources to ensure that the needs of the community were met. For example, the Year of Jubilee, described in Leviticus 25, was a time when land and property were to be redistributed to prevent the accumulation of wealth by a few and to restore economic balance among the people.

Additionally, the practice of gleaning, as outlined in Leviticus 19:9-10, required landowners to leave the edges of their fields unharvested so that the poor and the foreigners could gather food. This act of distributing the harvest was a practical expression of God's command to care for the needy.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of distributing is closely associated with the early Christian community's practices. Acts 2:44-45 describes the early believers as having "all things in common" and selling their possessions and goods to distribute to anyone who had need. This communal sharing was a powerful testimony of their unity and love for one another.

The Apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of distributing to those in need. In Romans 12:13 , he instructs believers to "share with the saints who are in need" and to "practice hospitality." This directive underscores the responsibility of Christians to be generous and to support one another, reflecting the love of Christ in practical ways.

Paul further elaborates on the principle of generous giving in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 , where he writes, "The point is this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver." Here, distributing is linked to the idea of sowing and reaping, with the promise of God's blessing on those who give willingly and joyfully.

Theological Implications

Theologically, distributing is seen as an act of stewardship, where believers are called to manage the resources God has entrusted to them for the benefit of others. It is a tangible expression of the love and grace that Christians have received from God, and it serves as a witness to the world of the transformative power of the Gospel.

The act of distributing also reflects the biblical principle of equality and justice. In 2 Corinthians 8:13-14 , Paul writes, "It is not that there may be relief for others and hardship for you, but that there may be equality. At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. Then there will be equality." This passage highlights the reciprocal nature of giving and receiving within the body of Christ, promoting a sense of mutual care and responsibility.

Practical Application

In practical terms, distributing can take many forms, from financial support and material aid to the sharing of time, talents, and spiritual gifts. Churches and Christian organizations often engage in distributing resources through various ministries, such as food banks, clothing drives, and disaster relief efforts. These acts of service are seen as extensions of the church's mission to love and serve others in the name of Christ.

Believers are encouraged to cultivate a spirit of generosity and to seek opportunities to distribute their resources in ways that honor God and bless others. By doing so, they participate in the work of God's kingdom and reflect His character to a watching world.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Distribute.

2. (a.) That distributes; dealing out.

1266. diamerizo -- to distribute, to divide
... Word Origin from dia and merizo Definition to distribute, to divide NASB Word Usage
distributing (1), divided (4), divided...among (1), divided up...among ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1266.htm - 7k

3311. merismos -- a dividing, distribution
... Masculine Transliteration: merismos Phonetic Spelling: (mer-is-mos') Short Definition:
a distribution, separation Definition: (a) a distributing, a distribution ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3311.htm - 7k

1244. diaireo -- to divide, to distribute
... See 1243 (). Word Origin from dia and haireo Definition to divide, to distribute
NASB Word Usage distributing (1), divided...between (1). divide. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1244.htm - 7k

1409. gad -- fortune, good fortune
... 1). troop. From guwd (in the sense of distributing); fortune -- troop. see
HEBREW guwd. 1408, 1409. gad. 1410 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1409.htm - 6k

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claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, displaying ...
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*** end of this project gutenberg ebook history of egypt, chaldaea ...
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1872-1874. Letter from Rev. AMW Christopher --Letter from Gulf of ...
... And this has not been all; daily efforts have been made in faith and love during
the period of training, and on the voyage, and in the Distributing Homes in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter v 1872-1874 letter from.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... Marin the means for supporting himself in the Spanish capital, where it is the writer's
opinion that he may be usefully employed in distributing the Scriptures ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 38.htm

Parallels from the Prophets to Illustrate Christ's Teaching in the ...
... sustenance for our life, or clothing for our body, [4652] but He who has provided
these things already for man; and who, therefore, while distributing them to ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxix parallels from the prophets.htm

God's Fellow-Workers
... consumer. The question of organising a distributing agency is quite as
important as any other part of the manufacturer's business. ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/gods fellow-workers.htm

The Anti-Missionary Agitation.
... At Canton, vile stories about foreigners distributing poisonous pills were gotten
up, and such was the seriousness of the crisis that two German missionaries ...
/.../fagg/forty years in south china/x the anti-missionary agitation.htm

Meditation vi. The Last Pasch.
... Jesus was then distributing the lettuce, of which there was only one dish, to those
Apostles who were by his side, and he had given Judas, who was nearly ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/meditation vi the last pasch.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1836 to the ...
... He was much aided in this good work by distributing among the people the holy
Scriptures in the Portuguese language, with which he was generously furnished ...
/.../chapter 14 from the close.htm

Completion Op the Fifth Continental Journey.
... Eighth Month. They again passed through Belgium, stopping at several places,
and distributing a large number of religious tracts. On ...
/.../chapter xvii completion op the.htm

Distributing (8 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Distributing (8 Occurrences). ... (WEY NAS). Romans 12:13
Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. (KJV DBY WBS). ...
/d/distributing.htm - 9k

Distribution (32 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of distributing or dispensing; the act of dividing or apportioning
among several or many; apportionment; as, the distribution of an estate ...
/d/distribution.htm - 18k

Necessity (22 Occurrences)
... in Jesus our Lord. (WEY). Romans 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of
saints; given to hospitality. (KJV WBS). 1 Corinthians 7:26 ...
/n/necessity.htm - 13k

Individually (6 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY NAS RSV). 1 Corinthians 12:11 But the one and the same Spirit works all
of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires. (See NAS RSV). ...
/i/individually.htm - 8k

Inheritances (7 Occurrences)
... Joshua 19:49 When they had made an end of distributing the land for inheritance
by the borders thereof, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua ...
/i/inheritances.htm - 8k

Inspired (20 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 1 Corinthians 12:11 But the one and the same Spirit works all of these,
distributing to each one separately as he desires. (See RSV). ...
/i/inspired.htm - 12k

Fortune (7 Occurrences)
... hap; also, the personified or deified power regarded as determining human success,
apportioning happiness and unhappiness, and distributing arbitrarily or ...
/f/fortune.htm - 9k

Firstling (8 Occurrences)
... Such legislation, in polygamous times, was necessary to prevent a favorite wife
from exercising undue influence over her husband in distributing his property ...
/f/firstling.htm - 15k

Territories (12 Occurrences)
... them, (See NAS). Joshua 19:49 So they made an end of distributing the land
for inheritance by its borders. The children of Israel ...
/t/territories.htm - 10k

Distributeth (4 Occurrences)

/d/distributeth.htm - 7k

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