Volume 48 Number 2 October 2005
The Church that Jesus built was purchased with neither silver nor gold, but while she remains here on earth her members learn to use money wisely, as good stewards. Though the Kingdom of Heaven is spiritual in nature, it must function in a physical world where money is a necessity. God’s people gladly give of their means to support the poor and to promote the spread of the gospel. It is the Will of the Father that each member, according to his ability, gives, according to the other person’s need.
“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.” (2 Corinthians 8:9) The spirit of the Good News is one of giving! Sacrificial offering of ourselves is the love we learn from God. Not only does He bless us richly each day, but He also gave us His very best when Jesus left the riches of glory to become a poor servant here below, redeeming us back to God! Glory to His Name!
It is no wonder that when we read about the establishment of the Church in the book of Acts we find the early disciples giving freely of their means to help one another. “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all [men], as every man had need.” (Acts 2:42-44) This is certainly not a group of people who gave grudgingly or of necessity. These brethren were not coerced, cajoled, or clubbed into this show of love and concern for those in need. Rather, this is the picture of love in action as members of the Lord’s church gave as they were prospered with glad and cheerful hearts!
Sadly, there are too many occasions throughout history where churches have gone beyond the will of God in their attempts to raise money for their various projects and in so doing they turn the church into a business where financial profits become the priority, all the while making merchandise of brethren “in the name of the Lord.” “And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” (2 Peter 2:3) The attempts of greedy men to pressure people into giving money have turned many away from the Lord. “All they want is your money”, is frequently given as an excuse by those who do not attend church.
Instead of going beyond what is written, why not follow the simple guidelines from God concerning giving? Doing it the Lord’s way requires trust, but it is the only way He accepts our gifts. Always remember how impressed Jesus was with the poor widow who cast in her two mites even as others more wealthy gave much larger sums! (Mark 12:42)
In keeping with doing all things “decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40), Paul gives the church an excellent way to give to help brethren in need. “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 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. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.”( 1 Corinthians 16:1-3.) Though this was a specific collection Paul was speaking about, the method of gathering the money is still fitting for us today when needy saints exist all around. Giving on the Lord’s Day when we meet to remember The Giver is both appropriate, and convenient. This method of collecting money is superior to pressuring brethren to give, or devising money making schemes and fund raisers to milk more coinage from members and non-members alike!
The Macedonians (2 Corinthians 8:1-5) were excellent examples of giving, not because they had big bank accounts, but because they first gave themselves to the Lord, then used their limited means generously for needy saints! Let us follow their noble example by always remembering to give cheerfully, and in this way we will show that God’s giving to us was not in vain!
~ P.O. Box 148, Brighton, IL 62012-0148