New Testament Giving - Part 3

NEW TESTAMENT GIVING- Part 3

How did we get here?

Having looked at the basis upon which new testament giving rests, we now turn our attention to consider what the scripture instructs us to give our money for. If a person should make that decision based on the appeals that are sent out by this “minister” and that one might be found giving money for anything from sending the homeless to summer camp to expanding the building facilities of a “mega-church.” I am convinced that the age in which we live is inundated with those who think that gain is godliness and can best be described by the words of Paul to Timothy, “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.” (Tit 1:10-11) The main component needed to keep most modern-day “churches” going is not the presence and power of GOD but money.
Over two centuries ago there arose among Christians some who became convinced that money was the key ingredient in “winning souls” and they began the practice of collecting money for the purpose of sending missionaries to foreign lands in order to convert the heathen and enhance the kingdom of GOD on earth. In some ways their desire was born out of a genuine concern for those that sat in darkness, and to some extent that spirit still exists today in a few and should not be scoffed at nor denigrated. But as in all endeavors which begin with a false premise and are built upon with untempered mortar many of those efforts quickly shifted the emphasis of “sending” to collecting.
Missionary “societies” and boards sprang up here and there and whole “denominations” came into existence in order to collect and disburse funds for these great endeavors. Soon the question of whether or not the scripture ever indicated that such endeavors should be undertaken was forgotten as the quest for empire and kingdom building reached a fever pitch and the dust of its construction began to cloud the light. Today little question is ever raised among mainstream “Christians” as to whether or not the “sending” of men with pockets full of money to preach the gospel is an enterprise that ought to be undertaken by men. Such “missionary” endeavors have moved into the mainstream in such fashion that the end now justifies the means. If a “ministry” undertakes a project it is just assumed that they have the right to gather funds to pursue it, whether the scripture commands it or not. No one even asks if the scripture ever sets forth by example or command that money should be “extorted” from GOD’s people by this appeal or that. It often seems that the greatest “beggars” on earth are those who claim they are “preaching” the gospel or at least trying to if they can just find somebody willing to foot an ever increasing bill. It almost seems that many of them have the attitude that the kingdom of GOD on earth will fold up if enough money is not collected.
My purpose in bringing up the subject of “missionaries” is not to criticize those who have been sent by the LORD to various fields of endeavor. Neither is it to discuss the whole question of the scripturalness of modern “missionism”. We will leave that to a future discussion. Rather, my purpose here is to lay a foundation that might help explain how we got to the place where “the collecting of money” has become the single most important function of the average church (so called) in its pursuit of “missionary ideals”. Few if any Prayers are set forth that GOD might send laborers into the harvest, but plenty of appeals are set forth designed to persuade men to give their money. The great preponderance of effort is spent not in seeking the LORD to guide and direct the endeavors of evangelism according to HIS word but in fund raising. Most “mission” newsletters are sent primarily to increase donations. It is not hard to come to the conclusion that money is considered of far more value than the power of GOD. Hardly a church exists that does not devote a portion of their meeting to the collecting of funds for this endeavor and that. In fact some even call it “worshipping GOD with tithes and offerings.” I have never read anything of the sort in the New Testament. It seems odd that such an important matter was overlooked by Paul when he instructed the Corinthian church on how their meetings should be conducted. (see I Cor.14:26-40)
GOD does indeed send his ministers to various places and. no doubt sometimes, funds are needed to accomplish those tasks that HE sends them to do. HE that owns the cattle on a thousand hills is able to provide those funds without the institution of organizations,(designed by men), whose main purpose is to collect money and without the shameless browbeating of the saints of GOD that many are very skilled at. Those who are genuinely sent by the LORD should wait until they are endued with power rather than waiting until they have plenty of money. Something is wrong with a picture when men are paid money to collect more money out of money collected for the supposed purpose of aiding men sent to preach the gospel. What does the scripture say we are to give money for?

NEW TESTAMENT GIVING - part 2

The basis upon which new testament giving rests is the very principle of the new covenant which the LORD promised when HE said, “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Jer 31:33) The benevolence of the LORD’s people is the direct result of the measure of grace which HE is pleased to pour out upon HIS children. Rather than their faithfulness being the cause of HIS blessing, HIS blessing is the cause of their faithfulness. This is manifested most clearly in charitable spirit which is given to those upon whom HE is pleased to conform to the image of CHRIST. The more like CHRIST a man becomes the more benevolent and kind that man is whether it has to do with finances, time, or the esteem of the brethren. When you find men with a stingy and selfish spirit you will find men who are not much blessed with the presence of CHRIST.
This is illustrated very plainly in the early church when the SPIRIT of GOD rested upon them mightily. (see Acts 4:32-35) They had little regard to personal gain and wealth, ready to distribute to others as the need arose. Ananias and Sapphira are illustrative of the flesh trying to emulate the work of the SPIRIT. They were stirred to give some but stopped short of giving all, thus manifesting their own wickedness and the weakness of the flesh.
That worship with which the LORD is pleased is that which is in “spirit and truth” as HE told the woman at the well, the FATHER seeketh such to worship HIM. The LORD expressed HIS approval of the act of the woman with the expensive alabaster box of ointment which she anointed HIM with as she bathed HIS feet with her tears. This was a costly gift but was given without regard to price by one who was moved to worship HIM. David refused the gift of sheep by Araunah saying “Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing.” (2Sam.24:24) The LORD JESUS CHRIST gave HIS very life for us, and can we be satisfied to give HIM less? mam

NEW TESTAMENT GIVING - part 1

Some have enquired about what the new testament says about the giving of our money to the LORD. Very few people come into this discussion or ask about it who do not have some preconceived notions about it. Few have been raised in a vacuum about these matters and many already have established patterns which they seldom question in light of the scripture.
To say that the average church or religious organization spends quite a bit of time and energy in raising funds would be an understatement. One can seldom hear a sermon on the TV or radio that does not conclude with strong appeals for funds and it is a common practice to pass the plate every time most churches (so called) gather. It has even become acceptable in many circles to appeal for money by attaching promises of temporal blessings to that act of benevolence. Others depend on the “guilt factor” by painting a picture of the failure of their ministry if folks don’t give. Yet others appeal to the “fear factor” by warning of the loss of blessings for those who exercise moderation in giving. The common thread that runs through these appeals is “more is better”.
Under the Mosaic Law (see Lev.27:30-33; Deut.14:22-23) the Jews were taught to bring tithes and offerings to the LORD, though Abraham actually paid tithes, as did Jacob; before Moses’ law was given. (see Gen.14:17-20; 28:22) In general the tithe was ten percent of their increase. This was not optional but was more or less a “temple tax” which was to be paid to the Levites in most cases. They were also taught to bring “freewill offerings” which is fairly self explanatory by its very name. These offerings were not meant to be the result of the requirement of the law but an offering made by those grateful for the the LORD’s benefits.
There is no lack of those who would try to mold and shape our views about “new testament giving” by appealing to the requirements of the old testament or the desire of the flesh to receive material blessings. Just like the Judaizers of old they are intent on putting the free-born sons of GOD back under the law from which they have been forever set free by the LORD JESUS CHRIST. (see Rom.8:1; 6:14,15; Gal.5:18) While a good case can be made for the perpetuation of tithing (at least by example) yet this Mosaic law was not given to the Gentiles but those whose covenantal sign was the circumcision of the flesh. We who have been circumcised in the heart are not debtors to that which was given not for the righteous but for the lawless and disobedient. On top of that is the fact that there is not one command to tithe in any of the new testament writings or the teachings of CHRIST HIMSELF. That law which is binding upon the sons of GOD , which are bought with a price, is not a law which demands percentages and quotas but is the perfect law of love.
If the principle (law) of “ the SPIRIT of life in CHRIST JESUS” (see Rom.8:2) is that by which the believer is governed then that must be the basis upon which that same SPIRIT would teach us to be stewards of those earthly goods which HE has placed at our disposal. We are quite certain that we have nothing that we have not received and therefore our view of what we possess must be governed by that knowledge. The scripture has several examples of those whose giving was approved of GOD. The widow who cast in two mites, the cheerful giver, and those whom Paul commended who “first gave themselves to the LORD.” (see II Cor.8:5) This is the standard by which we ought to look at what we give and what we keep. mam

FIRST THINGS FIRST

This is my first post to this blog. Hopefully the content of this blog will be useful to someone; perhaps even myself. As someone has said, a mind is a terrible thing to waste. Ignorance is not bliss except to the ignorant but the reality is that ignorance can often be a useful tool, sometimes surpassing the usefulness of knowledge which is not founded upon truth. The sum of all truth is found in the LORD JESUS CHRIST who has set forth all things which it is absolutely necessary for men to know in the pages of the HOLY BIBLE which is the written word of GOD. To it all of our thoughts, conclusions, and intents shall be necessarily compared, if they do not stand the scrutiny of HIS word then we desire to abandon them regardless of how dear we may have held them up until this point. I am not interested in any tradition regardless of how revered it may be unless it is a tradition built upon that foundation. May the LORD give us grace to hear and understand HIS word.