NEW TESTAMENT GIVING- part 7

NEW TESTAMENT GIVING – Part 7
Paul’s reiteration of the LORD’s teaching forms the very basis of the mindset which is proper for those who are spiritually alive. In closing his comments to the Ephesian elders he said “I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:33-35)
As the LORD’s children mature they can more clearly see that this principle, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” is that which guided everything that the LORD JESUS did. HE was always giving of what HE had for the benefit of others. It is a total waste of time to try to cajole and persuade men to love this principle or act according to its precepts. The flesh can never appreciate it (in fact despises it) and only sees it as folly. The realization of the blessings that are inherent in such a mindset can only be understood and walked in by those to whom such wisdom is given. But oh, when such insight is granted the very windows of heaven are open to those who are enabled to walk in it.
If it is more blessed to give than to receive then we must conclude that the blessings (or enjoyment) of giving is an end in itself. A giving spirit is that which takes delight in giving, not in the prospect of what one may get in return. In fact the spirit of true giving does not even have a consideration of receiving anything. There are no amounts or percentages which can be prescribed as the proper amount one is to give nor are any such material blessings promised to those who operate under this principle. The only monetary gift which the LORD took notice of during HIS ministry was the giving of two mites by a poor widow. HE said she had cast in more that all of those which gave out of their abundance because she gave out of her lack, giving all that she had.
This principle is not simply operable when a collection plate is passed but is that which permeates the thinking of the believer who recognizes the utter joy of bestowing that, which the LORD has blessed them with, to others. A stingy spirit is the antithesis of this mindset. For instance, whether one is buying an item or selling it, this frame of mind is looking for the good of others rather than the sole benefit of ones own self. With this attitude a man is more concerned with the value he is bestowing rather than the price he is getting. By the same token one is concerned with the well being of the seller rather than demanding the lowest price to his harm. It is this outlook which would move a person to leave a tip which is not the bare minimum but considers the service rendered and is willing to reward those who bestow labor upon them. Once again the flesh would consider such a principle as sheer folly and consider it as unworkable at best.
It is this very principle which the apostle Paul had reference to when he admonished the Corinthians to be willing to be defrauded rather than take a brother into a court of law. (see I Cor.6:7) The blessing of giving can never be enjoyed by those who demand their own benefit at the expense of someone else. Just as Paul said he had coveted no man’s silver or gold. Those possessions which the LORD has placed in our hands ought not to be looked at as being primarily given to us for our benefit in the consumption of them by us, but rather for our blessing as we benefit others with them. “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1Tim. 6:6-10) May the LORD be pleased to grant us vision to see the it is indeed more blessed to given than to receive.
In Acts 21:16 we can see this thought in action in the hospitality that old Mnason bestowed upon the Apostle (and those with him) in giving him a place to lodge. Perhaps it was all that he could do, even so he gave of what he had. The matter of extending hospitality to brethren is one which carries with it, its own special blessing. Not everyone has been given the ability to enjoy the bestowing of such kindness but there is great blessing to those who can. Martha was a true servant but in some measure (see Luke 10:38-42) she missed some of the blessing of serving the LORD because she became concerned that Mary was not doing her fair share of the labor. She would have been better off to have stopped her bustling about and received the benefits which Mary chose rather than becoming embittered by Mary’s lack of attention to this function. Some have been called to a special work of hospitality but the inherent blessing of it can be missed when one forgets that the blessing of it is in the giving of it. “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” (Luke 6:31)
While on the subject of hospitality we would not wish to neglect to point out that this is a special mark of those widows which were to be considered worthy of support by the church. “Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.” (1Tim 5:9-10) While the gift of ministry of the word (its preaching and teaching) is not given to women, there is ample evidence that the gift of service and showing of hospitality is primarily theirs. There is a great blessing to those to whom this ministry is given and the church is surely blessed by it as much as by the teaching gifts. (see Acts 16:15;Luke 7:38-44; Prov.31:27) For such as have faithfully carried on this ministry among the saints it is only fitting that the saints should be mindful of their needs especially as they grow older.
In Acts 24:26 the subject of money is once again mentioned. Felix had hoped that Paul would have bribed him or paid him off to let him loose. Had Paul been one of the modern day “moneychangers” he would no doubt have gone on TV and plead with the “faithful” to send him money so that he could be loosed, perhaps even with a tear in his eye as he told of the wonderful work he was doing that was going to cease if men didn’t send their cards and letters. But GOD did not see fit to provide it nor did Paul offer it because it was HIS purpose for him to go to Rome. Sometimes the LORD is through with a ministry before that fact is recognized by men. The LORD is able to stir the hearts of HIS people to provide such things as HE desires.
(to be continued, DV) mam