Giving As Able

When it comes to ministry and money, I am very cognisant it can be a huge stumbling block to people inside and outside the church.  I find persistent fundraising appeals by Christian ministries feeling like harassment, and it is disgusting when preachers dangle financial prosperity for those who give to support their lavish lifestyle.  In fitness culture, people put stock in the chiseled or ripped physique of their trainer at the gym, and at some churches people are drawn by professional productions, opulent wealth, and prosperity of pastors because they desire to obtain those results for themselves.  Unfortunately the "gospel" put forth by some is a false gospel, for it shifts the focus from Christ and all He has done to ourselves, our entitlements, and how to be prosperous now.

Though envy, greed and selfishness can creep into a person, ministry or a church, this does not invalidate the responsibility and privilege of Christians to regularly and gladly give according to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Those who are unwilling to give because there are greedy charlatans who make appeals for money in the world can fall into the same ditch by greedily keeping money God has graciously provided for themselves that is God's portion.  Giving as an expression of submission to God and to meet needs is something we observe in the Old and New Testament--before the Law of Moses was given and after Jesus fulfilled the Law.

When Abraham was greeted by Melchizidek the priest and king of Salem after a famous victory in battle, he gave him a tenth or tithe.  Jacob promised in Genesis 28:22 if God would protect him, provide for his needs and bring him back in peace, he would give God the tenth.  The reason why this came to mind was jogged by what I recently read in Numbers 18, where God gave the Levites the gifts of all who brought gifts or offerings to the tabernacle.  Rather than receiving an inheritance of land like all other tribes in Israel, God gave the tithe brought by the children of Israel to Levi as their inheritance--from which they were required to give a contribution offering to the LORD.  Numbers 18:21 says, "Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting."  Receiving tithes freely brought in obedience to the LORD was the way God provided for practical needs of those who served in the tabernacle.  Paul affirmed the principle of the priests partaking of the gifts of the altar remains relevant for those who labour in the word as he said in 1 Corinthians 9:14:  "Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel."

Rather than commanding a percentage, Christians are called and enabled by the Holy Spirit to cheerfully give as God leads.  When Paul arranged to provide a contribution to Christians in Jerusalem, he advised believers in Corinth (who freely expressed desire to contribute) like all the churches in 1 Corinthians 16:2, "On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come."  As the LORD prospered them, they were to weekly set aside a portion to contribute to help support believers in Jerusalem.  We read of followers of Jesus doing this in Acts 11:29-30:  "Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. ³⁰ This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul."  The giving of God's people was to be done by faith and obedience to His leading--not in response to emotional appeals, in the hope of personal gain, out of feelings of guilt, or to impress others.

When the Corinthian church procrastinated in giving, Paul reminded each one of them in 2 Corinthians 9:7-9:  "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. ⁹ As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever."  While our wages are not equal, the responsibility of all believers is equal to give a portion of their increase to the LORD--whether it be to support their local church, ministry, or people they know are in need.  Amazingly, I have found obedience to God in giving according to His leading has been more beneficial and rewarding to me than the usefulness of money I have contributed.  Giving can be worship of God greater than words when it is a cheerful response of thanksgiving to God.