NEW TESTAMENT GIVING- part 11

NEW TESTAMENT GIVING – Part 11

Paul’s first mention of the subject of money to the Corinthians is found in I Cor 4:11-14. Here he makes a veiled reference to it which serves both as a reminder to them of his faithfulness to serve them without requiring of them anything in return and their apparent unconcern of his needs. He does not do this in order to shame them (see v.14) into giving him money but to warn them that their lack of due diligence in this matter was an indicator of their value of his service and even more so of the blessings of the gospel. We have mentioned before the dual dynamic that Paul often brings to this subject. We see it brought up again here.
Paul is careful to point out his willingness to provide for his own needs (v.12) without “making a charge” to those to whom he ministers. This is only proper since he told the Thessalonians that if a man would not work then neither should he eat. Paul is very diligent to set a proper example in his life and is not just content to say “do what I say” but can admonish his followers to “do as I do”. This is a most valuable lesson that should be ingrained into the minds and hearts of all of those who have been called by the LORD into similar service as Paul.
Yet Paul does not neglect to stimulate the spiritual health of those who have received valuable instruction from the hand of others. Just as those whom GOD calls should value the calling that they have been given so should those who have received those benefits place an equally high value on them. Those who are sent by GOD and called to be teachers of the flock are to do so out without reservation or consideration of the circumstances into which they are called. Paul said “woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel”. In the same fashion and according to the same rule those who receive of this ministry should value it highly as the very gift of GOD. We have set forth this true principle before: What a man spends or gives his money for is an indicator of that which he values most. It is a shameful thing for a man to ask or demand money from those he ministers to, and it is equally shameful that he should ever be in a situation where he would need to do so owing to their neglect of his needs.
In the sixth chapter he touches on another aspect of the consideration that GOD’s people should have of their possessions. It seems that some of the brethren were going into civil courts to settle disputes (some no doubt financial in nature) with other brethren. Paul said this ought not to be done. Such disputes between brethren ought to be handled by each esteeming the other above himself. Paul says each should be willing to be defrauded (taken advantage of by the other) rather than bringing such disputes into earthly courts presided over by the world. Even the weakest of true brethren (in whom the SPIRIT of GOD dwells) has the knowledge to rightly settle such disputes. Our love for CHRIST and each other and our testimony to the world is far more valuable than any earthly possession which we might lose or gain by airing such things in the common marketplace.
He carries much this same thought concerning possessions into the seventh chapter where he says “And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not.”(1Co 7:30) The possessions which we have in this world must be held with a loose hand even as if we did not own them. How remarkably different is that mindset compared to that which prevails in the society in which we live. A man’s worth is often judged both by himself and others by the earthly property which he possesses. This mindset is understandable in those who live for this world but it is a foreign concept to that which is taught to us by the HOLY SPIRIT of CHRIST our LORD. The tenacity and drive of some to amass great fortunes causes us to assume that they think they will live in this world forever. Our society sets forth as the norm that a person should strive to gain as much wealth as they can in their productive years so that they may live in comfort and ease for the rest of their days. On the one hand that is totally desirable to our flesh and most certainly anyone suggesting that such is not necessarily the ideal taught or exemplified in the scripture would open himself up to great ridicule. There is certainly nothing wrong with living as comfortably at any time in our lives as we are able. Nothing is gained by wearing sackcloth when one can afford to wear silk.
The mindset of the true believer however must not be to seek that comfort at all costs or to be so overly concerned with planning for the future that we fail to use the things GOD has placed within our hands for the benefit of the body of CHRIST in the present time. Prudence and circumspection in ones walk in this world requires that we recognize the fact that we will grow older (if the LORD sustains us) and that our productivity will lessen and ultimately cease. It is therefore wise to make some preparation unto that end. Yet we are not to be consumed by that quest nor grow anxious because we feel that our “nest egg” might break prematurely or prove not to be sufficient. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:19) Our life is to be spent for more than simply preparing for growing old.
Next time we write we will turn our attention to the ninth chapter of I Corinthians where Paul sets forth the clearest language concerning giving and withholding funds from those who spend themselves for our benefit. Not only that but the instruction and example for those who provide that benefit.

(to be continued, DV) mam