Biblical Giving, Making Oaths, and Manipulation (Part 3 of 3)

Giving is Evidence of God Moving

There is no biblical basis for pressuring someone to give. Indeed there is also no basis for begging and pleading with others to give. I have heard radio ministries that spend twenty minutes on the message and the final ten minutes pleading with listeners to give. Day after day, week after week pressure is applied to give. On TV you will see all kinds of methods and procedures applied to persuade you to send in your money. The same is often done in churches across this land. You will be promised wealth untold if you donate to a cause and then you will be warned about judgment and disobedience if you do not give.

None of these practices are biblical. Never are the people of God pressured to give or begged into giving. This does not mean that we do not present the need before the people. If this is a move of God, the people will be moved by God. In the Bible, each time money is collected, people gave willingly from the heart. When Moses received instruction from God to build the tabernacle and collect from the people, He proclaimed an invitation for any who was willing to give. Look at this account in Exodus 35:4-5   

⁴ And Moses spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, "This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying:  ⁵ 'Take from among you an offering to the LORD. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as an offering to the LORD: gold, silver, and bronze;

…

   ²¹ Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the LORD's offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments.  ²² They came, both men and women, as many as had a willing heart, and brought earrings and nose rings, rings and necklaces, all jewelry of gold, that is, every man who made an offering of gold to the LORD.

Moses never begged, pleaded or made extravagant promises. Since this was of God, He provided the resources beforehand and then stirred the hearts of the people to give. Look at the final result in Exodus 36:6-7   

⁶ So Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, "Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary." And the people were restrained from bringing,  ⁷ for the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done -- indeed too much.

It was the work of God and God prospered it. When God is moving, people don’t have to be forced into action or commitments. God stirs the hearts. If God is not stirring hearts, the solution is not to pressure God’s people but find out why God is not moving. We can build buildings, assemble large people and programs without the move of God. The evidence of God moving is a people that are stirred to do God’s will both in giving and in service. Those who do not know God or His word will be lacking spiritually and will not feel the move of God. Giving is a secondary issue.

The same was proven true when Solomon built the temple of God. God stirred King David’s heart to build a temple for God but David was not allowed to accomplish the task. God said that David was a man of war, but He would raise up a son to David to build the temple. David began storing up for the temple that would later be built. God gave David the plans for the temple which was passed on to Solomon (1 Chronicles 28:10-20). When Solomon began the temple, God was already working. God gave him favor among all those around him. The people were of one mind and the surrounding nations partnered with him to complete this work. Solomon did not go into debt but used the resources that God provided. It took 40 years to complete the temple and this building was probably the most expensive structure ever built, yet there was no debt. If a vision is a move of God, He will provide.

Another example is when the saints in Jerusalem were suffering by extreme poverty. The Jerusalem Christians were under great persecution. The Jews rejected them and the Romans persecuted them as well. These people were completely isolated from the economic community because of their unwillingness to deny their faith and be accepted by the community around them that was hostile to Christ. Paul petitioned the churches around to donate for the needs of the Jerusalem church. He did not request money from the Macedonia church because they were also impoverished. When the church in Macedonia found out about this need, they gave above and beyond their own abilities (2 Corinthians 8).

The apostles were amazed at the liberality of giving from the Macedonia church. They knew what it was to be in need and were deeply touched by the need of the Jerusalem Christians. They were stirred from the heart to give without being pressured or even asked. They saw the need and were moved to meet that need. God moved within them to give abundantly even when they did not have extra to give.

Give as God has purposed in your heart

God has entrusted each person with all they have. With that stewardship there is reward and responsibility. One thing we must realize is that God has given us much liberty in how we use what God has entrusted to us. Look at the following passage in 1 Timothy 5:18  

¹⁸ For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages."

This is repeated four times in the scripture. Twice in the New Testament this is taught in relation to our service to God in this life. Just as an ox has the right to eat what he desires as he labors, we are given the right by God to be partakers of what God has put in our area of labor. You have the God given right to use the money entrusted to you as you see fit – only without sin. God has given you the right to receive your wages from what God has given you. You can choose to have high wages and many possessions or low wages and give more to His service. Your money is your reward; however, there is a greater reward for those who are willing to give to the Lord.

First look at the biblical principle of our stewardship. Let’s look at the account of Ananias and Sapphira. As the church was taking up collections for those in need, many were inspired to sell all their possessions and give to the church. This is likely the same church that fell into poverty we looked at earlier. Ananias and Sapphira saw all the works of those who gave all and wanted to give the appearance to do the same. They sold their property and divided it between themselves and the church but declared that they gave all to the church. Look at Acts 5:2-4   

² And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet.  ³ But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?  ⁴ "While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God."

Their sin was not keeping back part of the money but lying to God before the church. The key point I want to draw attention to is the scriptural principle found in verse 4, while it was in their possession, it was their own to control as they saw fit. They were not required to sell the land and once sold, they were not required to give the money. They could have given a little, a lot, all of it or none of it. The same is true for you. You have the power over your finances to do with as you wish. You can seek God’s purposes with a little of your money, a lot, all or even none. You can even go into debt and spend your future money. God will reward you according to how you purpose in your heart and do. A Christian should not need to be manipulated into giving. If our focus is on the things of God, we will recognize the needs God puts before us and give willingly and eagerly. Look now at 2 Corinthians 9:6-9   

⁶ But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  ⁷ 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."

If a preacher has to constantly plead with church members to give more and pressure others to commit to give, is this not grudgingly and out of necessity? If the people do not give willingly, they are either lacking in spiritual maturity or they do not recognize something as a move of God. If you have to be convinced and manipulated into giving, keep your money. There is no reward for unwilling service. We will still give an account for our faithfulness, but we will be rewarded for willing service to God in both labors and giving.

This is where the principle of being in control of our money is important to understand. You can be unfaithful with what God has entrusted and withhold all; you can be sparingly with giving or bountiful in giving. The person who is bountiful toward God demonstrates trust toward God and shows that he or she recognizes that life is about serving God rather than self; this person will reap bountifully. While it is true that if you give to God it will be given to you, this is not the reaping. The Bible tells us that we will reap in due time if we do not lose heart and turn from our faithfulness (Galatians 6:9). The reaping is the fruit of our labor to God. It is unfortunate that most teach that reaping is getting more money. Is money the purpose of doing God’s work? We give the things of this life because we hope in the promise of the life to come. In Philippians 3, Paul states that he has lost all things and counts them as rubbish. His hope was not in gaining possessions but in the hope to be brought to him at the resurrection. This is affirmed in 1 Peter 1:13-16   

¹³ Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;  ¹⁴ as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;  ¹⁵ but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,  ¹⁶ because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."  

Is this your hope? This is where the wages of our labor should be considered. Do we choose to receive our wages here and now, or in the life to come? Do we sow bountifully so that we can get more in this life, or do we sow bountifully for the hope that will be brought to us when Jesus is revealed in all His glory? Paul recognized that the value of eternal rewards were so great that everything in this life is garbage in comparison (Philippians 3:8). It is like asking someone, do you want to possess garbage until it is hauled away or would you rather wait and receive everlasting riches? If you look around you will see that most people are clinging to the garbage simply because they don’t realize that something better awaits. Your money will pass away when you pass from this life. Your wealth, worldly accomplishments and even churches will one day be destroyed. If this is your reward, it will pass. If Jesus Christ is your reward, you will never lack. Money is in the power of your hand to do as you wish. It is only one way of service to God but it has a powerful grip on many people. Use what God has entrusted to you as you choose and keep these principles in mind so that you may be a wise steward.

Give to those who cannot repay

Of all the principles of giving, this is the most misunderstood. Look now at Luke 14:12-14   

¹² Then He also said to him who invited Him, "When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid.  ¹³ "But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind.  ¹⁴ "And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just."

If you give to the needs that will benefit you, the repayment is your reward. I know this is not a well received principle but it is true and should be taken into account. Does God reward us for giving our money to build a big church, youth facility and fellowship hall that will benefit us? The benefit of our giving is the facilities that we can use and enjoy. If we are the beneficiary of our giving, we should not expect to be repaid by the Lord. This does not mean that we should not give to these things, but this is not the primary mission of the church and should not be the end of our giving.

One thing I believe that displeases God is when building programs become the focus and mission of the church. In most churches, the desire for large and elaborate facilities has taken top priority and saps most if not all the financial resources of the church. When building programs are introduced, they are usually big plans with demanding financial obligations. Once under these obligations, churches are forced to center all their ministries internally by focusing all resources on these facilities. This is not for God’s benefit but for our personal benefit. The heart of God is found in meeting the needs of those who are poor. Look at the following passages:

James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Proverbs 22:16 He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty.

Matthew 19:21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."

Proverbs 19:17 He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given.

Proverbs 21:13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.

Most churches cannot afford to do these things because they are strapped financially. I was at a business meeting of a church a friend of mine pastored. The question came up about a needy family that approached the church for help and how much they should give to help. After about 4 minutes of discussion it was decided that $50 a quarter should be the limit on ‘handouts’. Is there something wrong with the priorities of the church? Look at any church budget and see how much is spent on things that benefit members and things that are spent on outreach and meeting the needs around us. If your church even spends 1% on the poor, you have a rare church in this modern culture.

Not everyone in need should be helped but a wise counsel should be assembled in every church to do the things God has commanded us to do. A few years ago, we ran a ministry in a very low income area and regularly had people come to us with needs. Very rarely will I provide cash, but when the need was true, we would buy food, clothing or meet expense needs for them. When a mother was working full time and still not able to survive, we would gladly help. However, one couple came to request help because they were about to be evicted. They were three months behind on rent and had nothing to pay. After talking to them I found that the woman quit her job and had not applied for any work for almost three months. The man also quit his job because he said it was too much stress. He had not worked in months. I declined to help them since this was self-inflicted and bailing them out would do little good. Since both were able to work but neither were working nor did they have any prospects, in a month they would have eviction proceedings start up again. This is the type of situation the Bible is addressing when it says that if someone will not work, neither should they eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

I do not believe in giving handouts to everyone who asks but clearly we are commanded by the Lord to find the needs around us and meet those needs. It is a shame that most churches consider it a sacrifice to pay less than one percent of its budget to meeting real needs. Yet even while the church declares that it cannot afford to care fore the needy, a new building program will be presented to the church with lofty financial goals. It is supposedly a move of God to build a fancy facility while ignoring the cry of the poor. Not so. If a church is not doing the things God has commanded, nothing else is a move of God.

As Christians and stewards of what God has entrusted, we should give to organizations that meet the needs God has commanded. We should either start these programs within our local churches or partner with those who are already succeeding in outreach. I firmly believe that an organization that feeds the poor but does not care about sharing the gospel is not worthy of our money. An organization that refuses to obey God’s commands to meet the needs of the poor is also not worthy of our money. It is necessary to both share the gospel and meet physical needs in the culture around us.

This type of doctrine will be considered as hostile to many churches and pastors. Many will reject this message and call this a bad report or one that is divisive and lacking in faith. Even so, the real question is not who agrees and who disagrees but what has God said and which side of the issue do we come down on? Are we with God or in rebellion against Him? How would Jesus respond if He were in a meeting where a multimillion dollar building plan were being introduced? If Jesus examined your church budget, what would He say? Indeed Christ has examined and has already declared that when you meet the needs around you, you serve Him; however, when you neglect those around, you neglect Jesus Christ.

When you stand before God, will you be praised for buildings, houses, lands, possessions and other worldly measures of success? No, you will either be a good and faithful servant or a foolish servant. God does not care about your church building – He cares about your obedience. If you do the things that are important to God, I believe it is His desire to give us these things if it is our desire; however, the desire must be secondary to obedience. We claim that buildings are for God, but in truth they are for you and I. God has worked in many cultures and times without any facilities and completed His work. The building and facilities are for us and for our benefit. We must keep this in perspective. While they are not unbiblical, programs can become so if that is our focus.

One Final Thought on New Testament Giving

³³ And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.  ³⁴ Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,  ³⁵ and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

As we saw earlier, this is the Jerusalem church that fell into deep poverty. Each member gave all so that the needs of others could be met. Years later the churches from surrounding areas gave sacrificially to provide the needs of the Jerusalem Christians. As we saw from the passage dealing with Ananias and Sapphira, the apostles did not try to coerce people into giving. I am sure that some gave solely because they did not want to look uncaring to others but from the context, it is evident that most gave out of the heart in order to meet the needs of others. People gave greatly because the need was great.

It is very important to note why they gave – to distribute to each one that had need. Not to build a church building. Let me state clearly that it is not unbiblical to build a building and to contribute to the things that you believe will be a benefit to you and the church; however, this is a secondary issue not the focus of the church. If building becomes an obsession, it is unhealthy and not of God. If we neglect the commandments of God and the needs of others, buildings are not of God. If a church spends beyond its means, it is not of God. To be of God, we must walk in obedience to God. A church building should be viewed as a blessing, not as a need. God blesses those who walk in obedience. If we sacrifice obedience to bless ourselves, we are outside of God’s will.

We should use the New Testament church in Acts as a faithful example. We give sacrificially to meet the needs of others, not to benefit ourselves. If God is willing, He will provide a church the resources to build a facility. Even so, it is better to lack in facilities than to lack in obedience to God. We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ and give an account (Romans 14:10 and 2 Corinthians 5:10). We will not be asked how many members we have in our church or what we built or possessed in this life. We will be judged on our faithful obedience. This goes for money, time, talents and resources.

 1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.  

Are we being faithful in all that we do and give?

Eddie Snipes
Exchanged Life Outreach
http://www.exchangedlife.com

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