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A Glimpse At Giving

Revised: 4/23/03

 

For the Christian to understand the proper concept of giving he/she must first be able to make a link between Old and New Testament patterns and practices. For example, the Nation of Israel sacrificed bulls and goats to atone for sin whereas Christ offered Himself as an innocent unblemished lamb to remit the sins of those added to His body. Circumcision was the seal and mark of God for the Nation of Israel (Old Testament) and baptism is the mark and seal of Christians (New Testament). The Israelites were commanded to worship God collectively on the Sabbath day (Saturday) and Christians are commanded to worship God on the first day of the week (Sunday). The Nation of Israel operated under a ten commandment physical law while Christians operate under a non-physical spiritual law.  

Just as these links are made and clearly understood, we find a similar relationship with giving and supporting the men of God and work of the ministry.

Old And New Testament Patterns Of Giving:

In the Old Testament the Jews were commanded to tithe or give a tenth of all their prosperity to God, which was in turn provided to the tribe of Levi for their duties and service.

Deuteronomy 14:22  Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.

Deuteronomy 14:27  And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee. 28  At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates: 29  And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.

In these commands it was indicated that the Levites were not be forsaken in regard to financial support. They were responsible for the earthly ceremonial and spiritual services of God. This compensation was critical, for it provided the opportunity for the tribe of Levi to focus and dedicate themselves solely to the work of God and ministry of Israel.

In the Old Testament, the tithes and offerings were brought to God's storehouse or treasury where they were kept and distributed as commanded. Although the tithes were given to the tribe of Levi it all belonged to God, as indicated in the books of Nehemiah and Leviticus.

Nehemiah 10:36  Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, unto the priests that minister in the house of our God:

37  And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.

Again, it must be understood that the tithes belonged to God, but were given to the tribe of Levi for financial support.

Leviticus 27:30  And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD. 31  And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof. 32  And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.

Some may ask the question "How or can I give to God?" Others may retort, "Why would I give to God considering He is not in need?" It is apparently clear that if we fail to support the work of the ministry we are robbing God. How can a man rob God if he is not literally giving to God?

In Malachi 3:6-12 we find that God indicated to His people that they robbed Him  "In tithes and offerings." Again, how were they robbing God if they were not in essence giving tithes and offerings to Him literally?

God set up a plan to help the Nation of Isarel rectify their errant ways and prevent further mistakes. God informed them to place all tithes and offerings in His storehouse or treasury. In this way God's treasury was always supplied with the proper finances and material items that would help the Nation thrive sufficiently.

The ministry is the work of God, carried out by His children. In this ministry certain men had designated spiritual offices of special or ordained service. In this case, the Nation of Israel was robbing God by not supporting the ministry correctly.

Nehemiah was a man who was not going to allow God to continuously be robbed on his watch. In Nehemiah 13:10-12 we read about him not only ensuring that the tithes and offerings be brought to God's storehouse, but that they be used and distributed properly.

God is not only concerned with how the ministry is financially supported, He is also concerned, as evidenced by the diligence of Nehemiah, with how the finances are used. The funds are to be used to support the work of the ministry (which includes a host of things) and are not to be stored up to create a financial empire in the name of God.

How To Give:

In the arena of how one is to give, the Bible is far from vague. God does in fact leave the process and amount given to the person and Holy Spirit, but God does leave us with clear instructions in regards to what our attitudes and motives should be.

In 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 God gives us a snapshot of the kind of heart we should have in the process of giving. The Christians in Macedonia were poor, but to help the ministry they gave beyond what they could actually afford (v.3).

 

God is not concerned with how much, He is concerned with the willingness to give. God is not concerned about what we do not have (v. 12). If Christians have the right heart toward financially supporting the ministry it will be effortless because of the diversity of wealth among the body of Christ. The varying abilities will create a financial balance (v.13-14).

Guidelines for giving will be discussed later, but in this regard Paul is also indicating that if people give based on their prosperity God will be pleased. Giving more than 10% may be a good guideline but based on our economy, employment, status or financial situation, 11% may not be spiritually enough based on individual prosperity. 

Second Corinthians 9:1-15 gives us another godly insight into the heart behind giving, as well as the blessings administered to the giver. In giving (regardless of the situation) God informs us that if we give "bountifully" we will reap "bountifully." The Greek word for bountifully is translated, flowingly. In other words, if we give consistently/continuously our blessings from God will flow continuously (v. 6). The reverse is also true.

God commands that we give freely and willingly, the opposite of grudgingly or out of necessity (v. 7). God loves a cheerful giver. God is not asking us to assess a situation and decipher what the bare minimum would be to support His work or the person in need. If we adopt that form of heart and spirit we are moving into the realm of giving out of necessity. God loves the person who gives freely and cheerfully, as opposed to the person who wants to make sure they do not give over a penny of that which is needed. Christians must always understand John 3:16, knowing Christ went well beyond what man needed and deserved.

More On Attitude:

Again, we must hone in on the fact that God is concerned with the heart and attitude of the giver as opposed to the amount. Although this is a reality governed by God, Satan can seduce a person into thinking it is spiritually legitimate to rob God, suggesting to the individual that they should give minimally in order to retain more in the pocket.

God is concerned with the heart and it reminds me of when I was a small child. My father never wanted expensive gifts for his birthdays and holidays. In fact, he did all he could to convince us not to spend money on gifts for him. He truly loves and appreciates homemade cards and typed/handwritten letters. He was not concerned with the amount of money that went into the gift he was concerned with the heart and gesture and appreciated the tailored unique and special time that went into the creation of the gift.

Christ provides us with a similar situation in regard to the poor widow putting all she had into the treasury.

Mark 12:41  ¶And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42  And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43  And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44  For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Christ is concerned with the act of sacrifice more so than the mere act of the giving of that which is left over or the crumbs. We understand that the crumbs of God given to man are a blessing, but for man to give God his crumbs is sinfully unacceptable.

In this example, Christ is not even concerned with who received the money she placed in the treasury. He was more consumed by the act. Christians need to be careful about being overly concerned with who is being rewarded and how. If we are concerned, it should be from a positive direction, such as “is the person being taken care of well enough?” The Christian attitude should be against spending time trying to figure out if a person is receiving too much support. Motive, attitude, and disposition are important to God.

(The Treasury)  

 

This was located in the court of women, in which collection boxes had been installed to receive offerings.  The Sanhedrin met within earshot of the place; and it was here that they brought the woman taken in adultery.  It was the scene of some of Jesus' most remarkable teachings (John 8:1-20). Significantly, Jesus made his evaluation of giving through regard to what men possessed, and not merely in respect of the amount given.  In a spiritual sense, Jesus always sits over against the treasury, knows not merely the amount given, but the amount retained, and makes his evaluation according (Commentary: Burton Coffman).

Guidelines:

Giving is no doubt an act between the giver and God. The Holy Spirit governs it. No one person can tell another exactly what they should give, but we do have Biblical examples and inferences that can help us along the way.

Hebrews 7:22 & 8:6 lets us know that as Christians we operate under a better covenant than the Jews who were commanded to give a tenth. Because of this reality it could be inferred that monetarily we should give more than a tenth.

 

 

Also in Matthew 5:20 Christ sates  "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." This not only includes spiritual elements it can include the physicality of financial giving. Therefore, we have two examples at opposite ends of the spectrum and we should find our way somewhere in the midst. The Nation of  Israel was commanded to give a tenth and the poor widow gave 100%.

 

A Brief Analysis of 1 Corinthians 16:1-2:

 

To clearly and contextually understand this passage of scripture, as it relates to the church of Christ today, the terms used must be defined in the Greek language. Many theologians have stated that this passage of scripture is not binding to the church of our Lord because it was a special collection. In looking at the Greek we find the error in this stance.

 

Verse two literally reads "upon the first day of every week." This indicates that this was not a one-time deal but was to be done each Lord's day.  This is not to indicate that each Sunday the collection was taken-up for the poor saints in Jerusalem but does indicate that a collection was to be taken up each Sunday.

 

The next point that must be understood is how the offering was to be collected. There is some debate as to whether the prosperity was to be kept at home or kept in the common congregational/church treasury. Correct analysis, based on the request of Paul, shows us that it was to be kept in the church treasury. The church/congregational treasury is simply the congregation’s bank account or place where the collection is deposited.

Greek Terminology Defined:

 

"In store" Thesaurizo/Thesauros: To amass or reserve. Lay up treasure, keep in store, heap, treasure, together up. A deposit, i.e. wealth/treasure. It refers to bringing something to a storehouse or of gathering of a treasure. "Save what he can and put it aside to be collected weekly."

The Greek language in the text clearly illustrates that the money for collection was not to be kept at home but was to be placed in the common church treasury. This particular stance is also linked to the concept laid down by God to remedy the Israelite problem in Malachi chapter three. Some have argued that this collection/money was to be kept at home but their position is not congruent with Paul’s statement "...That there be no gatherings when I come." Paul wanted this money already collected so he would not have to deal with the hassle of going to individuals directly to receive their bounty or free-will offering. Keeping the money at home and waiting for Paul to arrive would have truly resulted in the unwanted gathering he spoke of.

The work of the ministry is to be financially supported by the congregational members with the money placed into the treasury.

 

Who/What Should Be Supported?

 

1) Preachers:

In first Corinthians 9:9-14 we find that ministers proclaiming the gospel should be supported by the gospel. Those who sow spiritual things are to reap of the adherent’s carnal things.

 

2) Elders: 

First Timothy 5:17 states “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18  For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.”

 

3) "The work of the ministry"

Ephesians 4:11 states “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”

 

The work of the ministry is to be financially supported. The concept, term and word ministry comes from the Greek word Diakonia. This concept/work is defined as the following:

 

“Compassionate love toward the needy within the Christian community. Serviceable labor, service. Every business, every calling, so far as its labor benefits others is a ministry. Referring to preachers it is an office of ministration in the Christian community viewed with reference to the labor needed for others both in the case of individuals, and generally as a total concept including all branches of service.”

 

With this understanding, it is clear that all elements of ministry are to be supported by the members of the body of Christ. Under this notion a cantankerous legalist might say, “well Sunday school and all Bible class instructors should be supported as well.” This is a true statement but it does not mean they must be supported by a salary or routine monetary gift. They should be supported in regard to books, materials and other necessary items needed to help them teach the Word of God efficiently, correctly and effectively to their students. They should not have to purchase such items on their own because it is still a part of the work of the ministry.

 

4) Widows Indeed:

First Timothy 5:16 states “If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.”

 

It is commanded that the church financially support widows indeed. These are widows who have no family to assist them in caring for their needs. God is informing us that widows with family members should be cared for by them so the church is free to support other areas in need. This passage should not be taken out of context and applied to other ministerial areas in need of financial assistance.

 

Possible Error And Precedent In Not Receiving Support:

 

In 2 Corinthians 11:7 Paul states  “Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? 8  I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

9  And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.”

 

Because of the ill heart of many in Corinth Paul refused financial support indicating that he robbed other churches. In essence other congregations were supporting his labor in Corinth. Paul later states in second Corinthians 12:13 "...Forgive me this wrong." Paul, out of love and care that the Word be not hindered, refused support. Members in the church must be careful of such practices because it can set up a mindset conducive to Satan, relegating ministers and the work of the ministry to second-class citizenship. Paul, out of love, took this route and many people today can mistake this kind of goodness for weakness and abuse it, relegating preachers to making tents for adequate financial survival.

 

It should be considered a joy to support the spreading of the gospel. Whenever expedient, members/congregations should be taught about the supremacy, criticalness and importance of supporting God's work and his ordained men.

 

Who Can and Should Give?

 

All of God's children are commanded to give and it is difficult to find exemptions. God does not exclude ministers and elders from giving.  Although the remaining eleven tribes supported the tribe of Levi, they (Levi) were still commanded by God to give ( Numbers 18:26-28). God requires that all His children give, but He does not want money placed into His treasury that has not been received honestly. God does not want money that is the price of blood used to support His work.

 

If the world will not accept blood money (emphatically) neither will God. Matthew 27:6 states  “And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.”

 

God loves cheerful givers and will bless them continually.

 

John 3:16

Acts 20:35

Ephesians 4:28

 

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